ERDOGS

FW: Rat Poison Risks to Dogs in BPC

2011-12-11T13:10:00.001-05:00

This message from the Galloways of bpcdogs should be of importance to all
dog owners residing in, or visiting, the contiguous communities in lower
Manhattan. Every few years the local news has an article about the
unauthorized and unmarked use of rat poisons in public places by property
owners or commercial tenants; this poses additional risks to dog owners
whose pet's curiosity might cause them to inadvertanty injest some of these
materials.
We want to thank bpcdogs for advising the neighborhood to "stay safe."

-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff and Paula Galloway [mailto:bpcdogs@rundog.com]
Sent: Friday, December 09, 2011 2:58 PM
To: Richard Horowitz
Subject: Rat Poison Risks to Dogs in BPC

On December 6, a dog association member's dog became very sick after coming
in contact with a rat near the Sirius Dog Run on Kowsky Plaza. He
apparently jumped out of the run and chased the rat. About an hour later,
the dog started vomiting. He was rushed to the emergency veterinarian where
he was cared for. His test came back as having ingested a rodenticide. The
dog survived and is on medication for one month.

The BPC Dog Association made some inquiries about the use of rat poison in
BPC. The BPC Parks Conservancy verified that they never use rat poison in
the Parks.

We then emailed Gateway Management to ask if they use rat poison since the
owner lives in Gateway and exited out of Bldg 400 through the Merchants
Restaurant patio to the esplanade. Gateway confirmed that they use
tamper-proof black bait stations on their property and that nothing is
exposed. Gateway said the material inside the box is an anti-coagulant
where a dog would have to repeatedly ingest it on multiple occasions for it
to have an effect. Since the dog in question had only a brief encounter
with a rat, and as far as the owner knows had no other contact with rat
poison, it appears that some amount of rat poison must have been transmitted
from the rat to the dog. It is difficult to believe that very much poison
could be transmitted in this way, so it appears that there is rat poison in
the neighborhood that is more toxic to dogs than was described by Gateway
Management. (We are awaiting an answer from a Veterinarian on the general
toxicity to dogs of rat poison.) The name of the material in the bait
stations used by Gateway is CONTAC and the antidote is Vitamin K.

We also contacted the BPC Authority to let them know what happened and to
see if they could find out for us if other building managers in BPC use
these bait boxes or other rat poisons and where exactly they are placed.

This is a serious matter as the dog that got sick did not appear to ingest a
lot of rat poison and became terribly ill. We will update our members, as
more information is received.

In the meantime, we wanted to alert you to these black rat poison stations
while walking your dog and to caution you to make sure your dog steers clear
of them.

World's "oldest" dog dies in Japan at 26

2011-12-09T10:52:00.001-05:00

The world's oldest dog according to Guinness World Records has died in Japan at the age of 26 years and eight months. Owner Yumiko Shinohara told reporters at her home in Sakura, a city outside Tokyo, that Pusuke, a fluffy tan Shiba mix, died Monday after suddenly falling ill and refusing to eat. Shinohara told TV network FNN that she "would just like to thank him for staying alive so long." The report said Pusuke's life span would have been the equivalent of about 125 years for a human. According to Guinness, the dog was born April 1, 1985. Pusuke was recognized as the world's oldest living dog last December. The Guinness record for canine longevity is 29 years, set by Bluey, an Australian cattle dog who died in 1939.

By Associated Press, Published: December 8

Dognapping in Battery Park City

2011-11-16T20:45:00.004-05:00

The following information was compiled from two messages provided today by www.bpcdogs.org

We received a disturbing report from one of our members about a dognapping in front of the Gristedes at West Thames & South End Avenue when this morning a 50-60 pound mutt was taken from outside the store.

Here are some details learned from Captain Falcon of the BPC Park Enforcement Patrol (PEPs): When the dog owner came out of Gristedes, she noticed her dog missing/stolen and reported it to PEP Officer Zura who was on patrol. Officer Zura put the incident and description over the radio and units responded. Sgt. Mercado then encountered an individual with a dog fitting the owner's description. She was able to recover the dog, but while recovering the dog, the dog got loose and the perpetrator fled. The dog was recovered, however, and returned to the much-relieved owner.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to the PEPs who handled this incident.

These kinds of incidents are common in NYC. Nonetheless, we still see dogs tied up outside of stores on South End Avenue, as if this won't happen here. Everyone should keep in mind that BPC is right next to West Street, which is a major highway that allows for quick getaways by thieves.

BPCDogs have posted tips on their website for avoiding dog theft. Please take a minute to review them: News reports show that incidents of dog-napping are on the rise. Many of these incidents could be avoided, if owners would take simple precautions. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has published a set of tips to prevent your "best friend" from being a target of a crime, which we've edited slightly to conform to local needs:

At Home:
Don't let your dog off-leash — Keeping your dog close to you reduces the likelihood it will wander off and catch the attention of thieves. A Saint Bernard that had wandered away from his owner in Nebraska was snatched up right off the road. A similar thing could happen even on the streets of New York.

Don't leave your dog unattended in your yard — If you take your dog to a home out of the city, your dog can be a potential target, if it is left outdoors when no one is home for long periods of time can, especially if the home is in a rural area and the fenced-in yard or dog run is visible from the street.

Keep purchase price to yourself — If strangers approach you to admire your dog during walks, don't answer questions about how much the dog cost or give details about where you live.

Breeders need to be aware of home visits by potential puppy buyers — Criminals posing as would be "puppy buyers" have visited breeder homes to snatch dogs, while other homes have been burglarized when the owner was away. From Yorkies in Los Angeles to Bulldogs in Connecticut, thieves have targeted young puppies of these highly coveted breeds.

On the Road:
Never leave your dog in an unattended car, even if it's locked — Even if you are gone for only a moment, an unlocked car is an invitation for trouble. Also leaving expensive items in the car such as a GPS unit or laptop will only invite thieves to break and possibly allow the dog to escape.

Don't tie your dog outside a store — This popular practice among city dwelling dog owners can be a recipe for disaster. Reports have surfaced of such thefts in Manhattan. If you need to go shopping, patronize only dog-friendly retailers or leave the dog at home.

Be vigilant when entering or leaving establishments or venues catering to dogs such as grooming salons, veterinarians, doggie day care or hotels — Be aware of your surroundings, such as slow moving vehicles, or people watching you and your dog. Carry pepper spray as a precaution and, if possible, don't walk alone late at night or stay in a well lit area.

Recovery:
Protect your dog with microchip identification — Collars and tags can be removed so make sure you have permanent ID with a microchip. Keep contact information current with your recovery service provider. Several pets have been recovered because of alert people scanning and discovering microchips.

If you suspect your dog has been stolen — Immediately call the police / animal control in the area your pet was last seen.

Have fliers with a recent photo ready to go if your dog goes missing — Keep a photo of your dog in your wallet or on an easily accessible web account so that you can distribute immediately if your pet goes missing.

FiDi resident are also cautioned that dog thefts can happen on the east side of Broadway as well. See Eastriverdogs' posting about an attempted dog theft on Pier 16 at the South Street Seaport.

Dirty Dog Run is Sickening Downtown Pups, Owners Say

2011-09-08T22:00:00.011-04:00

Amanda Burden, NY society matron, chats with the Mayor at the opening of the dog run that is making dogs ill.

The following text copied from: DNAInfo.com
August 29, 2011

Original article by By Ben Fractenberg and Julie Shapiro, DNAinfo Staff
Photo credit: DNAinfo/Ben Fractenberg

FINANCIAL DISTRICT — The brand-new South Street dog run has gotten so dirty that it's making dogs sick, worried owners say.
Several owners said their pooches recently came down with stomach bugs after playing in the new 4,300-square-foot oval dog run, which is often dotted with dog waste.
"There are tons of dogs, and they're all roaming around in each other's pee and poop," said Debbie Weiss, 45, who lives on Peck Slip.
Last week, Weiss's 3-year-old Havanese poodle, Amelia, vomited repeatedly and had diarrhea after visiting the dog run. It was the first time the tiny dog, which weighs less than 15 pounds, has ever been so sick.
Weiss said she was so concerned that she stayed up all night with Amelia and fed her Pedialyte with an eyedropper until the dog finally felt better.
"The situation [at the dog run] is horrible," Weiss said.
The dog park, under the FDR Drive near Pine Street, is part of the city's new $165 million East River Waterfront and has many pup-friendly features, including a giant dog house, a fountain and a sculpture of a squirrel.
But dog owners say the fancy run has so many nooks and crannies that it's hard to monitor exactly where the dogs are marking their territory, which leads some irresponsible owners to not even try to pick up after their dogs.
And despite all the dog run's fun features, owners say it's missing one of the most basic amenities: a hose.
"People don't clean up the poop, and there's no hose to clean," said Emily-Jane Finigan, 28, who has a puggle named Rocky.
Finigan said Rocky vomited last Friday after frolicking with other dogs in the dirty park.
The worst areas of the dog run are usually a patch of small rocks that is hard to clean and a pool that some dogs use as a toilet and others use as a water bowl, owners said.
Dog owners added that while the city appears to clean the park daily, that is not sufficient.
"They try to clean, but they don't do a thorough enough job," said John Larson, 46, who takes his 10-year-old pit bull Ginger to the park.
Larson said Ginger was recently sick with diarrhea for a week, which she had never had before playing in the dog run.
Although Hurricane Irene had largely washed the dog run clean by Monday morning, the mess over the past few weeks had gotten so bad that Janet Carhuayano, manager of The Salty Paw pet spa, stopped taking her dogs and those she dog-sits to the South Street run.
"I've been noticing how dirty it is, and I can't take that risk," said Carhuayano, who has a Maltese named Theo and a terrier mix named Teddy. "I can't go in there and risk someone else's dog getting sick on my watch…. It's just not safe."
A spokeswoman for the Economic Development Corp., which built the dog run and is responsible for maintaining it, said the agency is open to comments and suggested people call 311 to report any issues.

Read more: http://www.dnainfo.com/20110829/downtown/dirty-dog-run-is-sickening-downtown-pups-owners-say#ixzz1XPtlOaad

Your micro-chipped dog is not safe

2011-08-09T11:12:00.000-04:00

A Prospect Heights couple is desperately searching for its beloved pooch after a trio of alleged lady dognappers convinced a cop that they owned the furry little guy. Source: http://bit.ly/pu7Fke

Union Square’s Dog Run uses easy to read safety signs

2011-07-03T18:26:00.002-04:00

The Union Square Dog Run uses these hard-to-miss signs at their entry gates.

They’re easy to see and quick to read as you approach the run.

With the number of passers-by who we’ve already seen entering the Esplanade South Run to touch our dogs and take photos of one another with the dogs, not always closing the gates behind them, we wish that the Esplanade’s run had these signs too.

Tracing Unscooped Dog Waste Back to the Culprit

2011-07-02T21:23:00.012-04:00

Deborah Violette, a property manager, takes dog waste seriously. photo credit: Jim Cole/Associated Press

from The New York Times
Published: July 1, 2011
By KATIE ZEZIMA

Sherlock Holmes had the case of the dog that didn’t bark, but it has taken two dozen apartment complexes and a testing company in Tennessee to bring the art of canine detection into the “CSI” age.

And the evidence is right underfoot.

Canine DNA is now being used to identify the culprits who fail to clean up after their pets, an offense that Deborah Violette, for one, is committed to eradicating at the apartment complex she manages.

Everyone who owns a dog in her complex, Timberwood Commons in Lebanon, N.H., must submit a sample of its DNA, taken by rubbing a cotton swab around inside the animal’s mouth.

The swab is sent to BioPet Vet Lab, a Knoxville, Tenn., company that enters it into a worldwide database. If Ms. Violette finds an unscooped pile, she can take a sample, mail it to Knoxville and use a DNA match to identify the offending owner.

Called PooPrints, the system costs $29.99 for the swabbing kit, $10 for a vial to hold the samples and $50 to analyze them, which usually takes a week or two. The company says that about two dozen apartment complexes around the country have signed up for the service. In 2008, the Israeli city of Petah Tikva created a dog DNA database for the same purpose.

Ms. Violette said that at her complex, which opened in December and has a designated building for pet owners, unwanted surprises have sometimes been found on lawns.

“We had a little bit of a problem,” Ms. Violette said. “Enough that I wanted to try to nip it in the bud.”
Dog owners were notified about the testing last week, and most are now taking their pets in to provide DNA samples. But not everyone.

“I’ve had some people say it’s completely over the top and ridiculous,” Ms. Violette said. “I’m sure I’ll have a few people who won’t come in, and I’m sure those are the people we’ll have to chase and those are the people who are doing it.”

read the full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/02/us/02dogs.html?ref=us

Dog Run Opens Monday June 27th

2011-07-02T21:18:00.003-04:00

More than four years after a small group of neighborhood dog owners organized and started lobbying the city and local authorities to provide a dog run in our neighborhood, the dog run finally opened under the FDR Drive at Wall Street on Monday June 27th.
Our thanks go out to the neighbors and friends in our community who gave their time and championed this cause.

East River Dog Owners Group

Man loves his pet Schnauzer, 11 million bucks worth.

2011-06-22T17:00:00.000-04:00

"Ilich Jorquera is suing ex-girlfriend Carla Pimentel for $11 million in Queens Supreme Court, complaining she ran off with their two-year-old Schnauzer Guapo after they broke up."

"Jorquera wants a judge to force Pimentel to at least share custody of the scruffy white pooch who was so darn cute they called him Guapo - Spanish for handsome."

"Jorquera concedes that Guapo is legally registered in Pimentel's name. But, he says, he paid to buy Guapo from a Long Island breeder in 2009. And he was the one who took him to the vet and walked him four or five times a day while Pimentel was at work."

"Guapo's absence has caused him extreme emotional distress for which he's due millions, court papers say."

Read Full Story: http://nydn.us/lPBsgl

Bionic Dog Paws

2011-06-21T17:00:00.000-04:00

"Naki'o is the first dog to be fitted with a complete set of bionic paws that work naturally to allow him to run, jump and even swim. Naki'o received the paws after his own were severely hurt from stepping into an ice puddle as a puppy. The prosthetics were designed and fitted in a pioneering procedure by Martin Kaufmann, founder of Orthopets."

Poo Awash at Washington Square Dog Run

2011-06-13T17:00:00.002-04:00

"Dog Run Submerged In Gross Restroom Runoff: Gothamist: Backed up drain from restroom filling the run, mosquitos everywhere, hookworm and giardia epidemics. This is crazy, where are our dogs supposed to go and why doesn't the city care about this diseased cesspool in the middle of Washington Square Park?"

http://bit.ly/irTcCw

Inside the Dog Run: The Mounds Come Down

2011-06-10T22:26:00.014-04:00

On Thursday morning a work crew was seen inside the run demolishing one of the pair of climbing mounds. On Friday evening one mound was completely removed and the demolition of the second mound was underway.

Removal of the two mounds will free-up much-needed ground space inside the run and we are very happy with this improvement.

East RIver Dogs has not received confirmation from the NYEDC regarding further modifications to the dog run nor to its opening date. All we can do is wait, guess and hope that it opens fast.

Firemen Saved Dog at South Street Seaport Pier 17

2011-06-10T17:00:00.002-04:00

New Zealand's Pedigree Adoption Drive's Dogglelganger

2011-06-07T17:00:00.002-04:00

Try it out: http://www.pedigreeadoptiondrive.co.nz/

Dog Run Preview May 12th

2011-05-28T19:28:00.016-04:00

Looking south: Mound and foot bridge with tree in background

The NYEDC invited ERDogs inside the not yet complete South Street Esplanade dog run for a trial play date on May 12^th. Approximately a dozen dogs, their owners and several official observers crowded into the run to watch the dogs interact with the new environment and later some instant feedback was offered to the NYEDC representatives.

The dogs explored the run and its many decorative features: the steel Dog House, Foot Bridge, Dog Bone, Squirrel statue, an artificial Tree and the pair of Mounds - dome-like concrete “mountains” that most of the dogs seemed reluctant to scale. A couple of brave dogs, like our friend Olivia, weren’t scared and climbed to the top.

Not yet completed or installed on the preview date were the Splash Pad where water will spray out of a tall hydrant-type pipe at the run’s south end; an additional straight-run fence that will separate-out the small dogs area at the north half of the run; the Sand Pit within the round fence (sand not yet delivered), as well as the entry gate latches and safety signage. There are double-door entries at both ends of the run, the north for the smaller dogs and the south end for medium and large dogs. It seems that the sand pit will be for the small dogs and the water feature will be for the medium/large dog section.

The whole run sits underneath the FDR Drive of course, which while seeming to make the run feel dark, will be a welcome roof top when it is raining or snowing or when the summer sun is beating-down.

For anyone who has been wondering, the ground surface is painted asphalt.

We’re still waiting to hear a real opening date; as of May 12^th the target was stated as being mid-June.

Enjoy the photos and we encourage your feedback or comments here.

Looking south: Tree, dog house and dog bone, with bench for humans

Looking north: Dog bone, foot bridge and dog house

Madison testing the built-in seating/bench, striped climbing mound on the right

The two mounds seen from between

The circular fence at the north end encloses the sand pit with squirrel. A fence to create the small dog area at the north side of the run will be installed left-to-right in the foreground of this photo.

City Offers Glimpse of New East River Waterfront - DNAinfo.com

2010-11-01T14:55:00.002-04:00

City Offers Glimpse of New East River Waterfront - DNAinfo.com

Video of girl throwing puppies into a river

2010-08-31T12:00:00.005-04:00

WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO OF ANIMAL CRUELTY!

UPDATE FROM SALON.COM: "The details of the video are still under investigation, but Infocuts reports the girl's name is Katja Puschnik. Better start running, Katja! She's already posted an apology video, according to CNET. YouTube has removed the original video from its site, but Liveleak still has it posted, if you dare to look.

Cats and dogs feel the brunt of BP spill too.

2010-07-26T09:33:00.001-04:00

Pet Owners, Squeezed by Oil Spill, Turn to Shelters
By LIZ ROBBINS

VIOLET, La. - The trail of oil has invaded the marshes of St. Bernard Parish, seeping into the psyche of fishermen and flowing into the overcrowded shelter at the St. Bernard Parish Animal Services where Sasha, Melodie and Benny pace their cages awaiting adoption.

Here, the outcry over the spill - barking, whimpering and mewing - amounts to little more than muted protest.

Since the BP oil disaster began, overwhelmed pet owners in coastal parishes, notably St. Bernard, and to a lesser degree, Plaquemines, have been dropping off their pets in droves. Some hand them over tearfully, others matter of factly.

"I think about how one day these animals are happy and go to sleep, and then the next day they wake up in a cage wondering, 'Hey, what's going on?' " said Mary Gambill, 54, of Luling, La., who drove an hour south to St. Bernard to adopt Andrea, a yellow Lab whose ribs poked through her sickly coat.

"These aren't just scroungy dogs on the side of the road," Ms. Gambill said. "These are pets."

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/23/us/23spillpets.html
Published: July 23, 2010

NYTimes Watch: Channeling His Inner Hound

2010-06-11T13:58:00.002-04:00

Labradoodle Beau is Missing

2010-05-14T14:33:00.002-04:00

"Posters are up all over downtown Manhattan where my lost Labradoodle was last spotted. He answers to the name Beau or Justin and was wearing a red collar with a rabies tag 0125 from Washington Square Animal Hospital. Beau has a chip and I’m offering a reward for his return—no questions asked!"

If you have any information, please promptly contact Eileen Robert at erobert@corcoran.com

Latest Pier Renderings

2010-05-13T20:49:00.002-04:00

Images courtesy of Lower Manhattan Development Corporation

Dog Thief at Pier 16, Continued.

2010-04-30T11:25:00.005-04:00

Dear Neighbors,

This morning, the suspicious character from my last blog post returned to Pier 16. He walked in at approximately 7:30 am to the middle of the pier, next to the tug boathouse, and had a large steak bone in his hand (see above pics).

Several dog owners were arriving at the pier with their dogs, and we saw the man try to lure and tempt the dogs with the meat bone. He nonchalantly circled the dogs and smiled wickedly at a few of us. I called my two dogs and tried (unsuccessfully) to pull them away from the meat bone. At this point, other dogs picked up the scent of the bone and tried to wrestle each other for it.

I shouted to my dogs in English, "Leave it!" He spoke in Cantonese, "I am just playing with the dogs!" I believe he sensed that we could not understand him, he gestured that he wasn't doing anything wrong and just showed us the bone. I swiped the bone from out of his hand and he continued to pick it up and give it to the dogs. He shoved me, and I shoved him back. He angrily shouted (in Cantonese) that he is going to come back and take care of me. I could not understand everything he said, but he gestured with his left hand to mimic a handgun, and pointed it to his head.

While this is happening, one of the other dog owners called the police, another dog owner was trying to diffuse the situation, and others were all trying to pull our dogs away from him. I stayed exactly where I was to make sure he didn't take out a concealed weapon. He repeated to make more handgun gesture directly at me.

He walked back towards South Street (behind the Peking Ship, next to the woodcarving studio) and proceeded to push his shopping cart away. Approximately 5 minutes later, six police officers in three patrol cars came onto the pier, and a harassment report has been filed. If you are confronted by this man or witness any suspicious activity involving him, please call 16 Ericsson Place Precinct 001 at 212-334-0632, 0631.

Dog Thief at Pier 16

2010-04-27T11:39:00.005-04:00

Dear Friends,

Please be aware that this morning I was the unfortunate dog owner to have encountered a dog thief.

There were about 3-4 other dogs (with their owners) at approximately 7:30 am. While I was focused on one of my two dogs and some of the other dogs/owners, an Asian man, age middle 30s, 5' 7" with short hair in a cap, dressed in loose khaki/grey colored clothes, approached and coaxed my second dog to play with him. While there were a lot of people who frequent Pier 16 to exercise, this man was not a regular visitor and was acting suspiciously, circling the dogs.

One of the dog owners arrived and was down at the other end of the pier, and my second dog went to say hello, (as she later explained to me) the man tried to put the leash on him but it was too small so he was extending it to make it larger.

The other dog owner gave him the evil "what the f" look and called the dog to come to her. She thought nothing of it until the man tried again and started to handle my second dog's collar and pull him along to lead him away from the pier where we were. She told him, "Excuse me, don't do that!"

I got up and started to call my second dog, and the man let him go and (acting-casually) dashed away. It only dawned on me the man had malicious intentions when the other dog owner said the man had a dog leash. I also saw him fiddle with a clasp or clip-like object in his hand but didn't fully realize it in that moment.

Thank you to my dog owner friends at the pier! All I can do is be glad that my boys are okay. Let my experience be a lesson to all dog owners to be extra careful when you're walking or playing with your dog(s) at the pier (and in the dog run). Also, remember to never leave a dog tethered to a city sign pole, or anywhere outside without supervision...see above flyer image, and link below.

Read more about DOG THEFT in New York.

"I bark because I miss you"

2010-04-21T10:32:00.000-04:00

There exists between the dog and his owner a unbending duty of loyalty. It was only a short window of time that someone thought dogs should tweet like their owners. Are we really ready for Puppy Tweets?

From the Manufacturer:
Tweets are the new Barks! Ever wonder what your pup is doing while you're away? Well, now you can get the 411 with text messages from Puppy Tweets! Whenever your dog moves, barks (or just naps), the tag knows it and sends a WiFi signal to your computer which then sends you a Tweet via Twitter. Simply set up a Twitter page for your dog and your Puppy Tweets tag starts generating Tweets. Puppy Tweets comes pre-loaded with over 500 phrases that put a humorous or insightful spin on your dog's daily activity. For example, a bark may generate a Tweet of: “I bark because I miss you. There I said it. Now hurry home.” A quick run through the house could produce: “I finally caught that tail I’ve been chasing and…OOUUUCHH!” Invite your friends and family to follow your pet on Twitter and help your dog follow his or her favorite puppy pals or celebrities. Puppy Twitter lets you connect with your pet over the Internet. It’s a great way to brighten your day ‘cause a Tweet from your pooch is a virtual smooch!

New Finding on Origins of Dogs

2010-03-19T11:07:00.003-04:00

New York Times has a nice article on our canine's origin, a finding that puts their first known domestication in the same place as the domestication of plants and other animals, and strengthens the link between the first animal to enter human society and the subsequent invention of agriculture about 10,000 years ago. Read More

Two NY men convicted of dogfighting ring

2010-03-09T17:52:00.000-05:00

16 fighting dogs and two roosters rescued from the dogfighting ring, organized by Alexander Estephane and Juan Toledo.

Animal Abuse Case Details: Pet-Abuse Case

Dog beaten with a snow shovel by NY woman

2010-03-07T13:32:00.008-05:00

See full Daily News report.

FW: Dog Poisoning Threat

2010-02-11T09:55:00.001-05:00

This important warning has been sent courtesy of Jeff and Paula galloway, of BPC Dogs.

-----Original Message-----

We have received the following notice from the New York Coalition of Dog Owner Groups (NYCDOG), regarding a reported threat to poison dogs in NYC dog runs. NYC Parks Assistant Commissioner Michael Dockett has asked that this be circulated as well, while noting that Parks does not know whether the threat is real:

NYC PARKS and PEP (Parks Enforcement Patrol)

REPORTS THAT A

CRAIG'S LIST POSTING

THREATENS TO PLACE POISON IN DOG RUNS.

It could be a hoax or it could be real.

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD IMMEDIATELY TO ALL DOG RUN/PARK USERS

1. When entering the dog run, please study it carefully BEFORE unleashing your dog.

2. If you spot ANYTHING suspicious, IMMEDIATELY call the police, pep, and 311. Stay nearby until police arrive.

3. Do not touch anything suspicious and do not let any dogs near it.

4. Be vigilant right OUTSIDE of your dog parks. If someone truly intends to poison dogs, placing laced food near the dog runs is a way to avoid being easily spotted. Again- if you spot anything, report it immediately.

5. If you hear or see anything, please also let your local dog owner group know so they can share with everyone.

As noted, this may be a hoax, but we feel that it's better to be safe than sorry. FYI, the local BPC PEP number is 212-417-3100. If you see anything suspicious, please call this number; please also let us know so that we can keep others informed.

Thanks,

Jeff and Paula Galloway

BPC Dogs

bpcdogs@rundog.com

www.bpcdogs.org

New York woman kicks and sling dog

2010-01-13T12:10:00.003-05:00

The following post is from the NY Daily News:

A Manhattan woman was caught on video kicking and yanking her 9-pound pup - in the same housing project where surveillance video captured another dog beating earlier this month.

Tiara Davis was busted Monday after repeatedly pounding Sparky, her 4-year-old Pomeranian, the ASPCAsaid. Davis - who is 5-feet-5 and weighs 200 pounds - beat the pup into unconsciousness.

"This is no way to treat your pet," said the ASPCA's Joseph Pentangelo.

Davis, 31, was caught Sunday in the elevator of her Broadway building in the Grant Houses in Morningside Heights. Overwhelmed, she snapped when the dog relieved itself too soon.

"I kept telling him, 'Sparky! Wait! Wait!' " said Davis, a vocational counselor for ex-offenders. "I became a little frustrated," she added. "It was never my intention to hurt him."

Sparky is recovering at the ASPCA hospital, Pentangelo said.

New York man kicks dog in elevator

2010-01-07T14:26:00.004-05:00

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/video.

Watch this video and send a message to the NYCHA, using this form: http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mailnycha.html

Ask them if Chris Grant has been evicted. The NYCHA is a colossal failure, but it doesn't mean that the public shouldn't put pressure on them to do the right thing once in a while.

You can write something like this:
You all should be ashamed of yourself for allowing a sick individual like this dog kicker, Chris Grant, to be accepted into the public housing project. If he isn't convicted of this criminal act or prosecuted for another, I'm sure he will be in a few years. His actions in the elevator video more than illustrate that he is a disturbed individual. Why is he even allowed to live in this City!?!

If you witness pet abuse, don't be silent. Call the police or PETA.

Long Island woman tortures and kills dogs

2009-11-19T16:00:00.002-05:00

The following post is from Gothamist: The Long Island woman suspected of torturing and killing about 20 dogs before burying them in her backyard forced her children to take part in her animal "concentration camp," according to her son. "It was a concentration camp for the animals," Doug McDonough, the eldest of suspect Sharon McDonough's seven children, told WCBS. "My sisters and me, we got the end of it, too." Doug — who tipped off the animal rescue TV show Rescue Ink, which in turn alerted the Suffolk County SPCA — told the Post that the abuse would begin shortly after his 43-year-old mother brought a pet into her Selden home. "She would buy the dog, treat it like it was the greatest dog in the world for a few days, then they would sit in the cage until she decided to kill them. It was a power trip."

In what the Suffolk County SPCA chief considers one of the worst cases of animal abuse that he has scene in 25 years, investigators have already unearthed the remains of almost two dozen dogs from the backyard, and discovered a shepherd mix, a beagle mix, an Italian greyhound, a cocker mix, a pug, and a cat living in deplorable conditions inside. Those pets are recovering and are up for adoption.

Neighbors whose pets have gone missing fear that the suspect — who according to the Post "began to act a little off" after her husband was killed in a car accident last year — might have stolen their animals. "It looked like a real murder scene, as if they were gonna pull out dead bodies out there," said one neighbor. "The smell was unbearable. They were taking bags out by the dozen. It was crazy."

Walking the Dog to Draw Attention to a Cause

2009-09-25T10:07:00.001-04:00

If you missed Craft Beer Week's pub crawl (also known as the Path of
Yeast Resistance), you can still make it to Saturday's Pup Crawl -- a
pet-accompanied march across the Brooklyn Bridge intended to bring
attention to the dogs and cats at risk of losing their homes because of
the economy.

An estimated 500,000 to one million pets may lose their homes because of
foreclosures, according to an estimate put out by the American Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

An evening news report about that figure inspired Joseph Hassan, a
29-year-old Williamsburg resident, to organize a march. "That was the
impetus," he said. He was walking across the Brooklyn Bridge one
afternoon when he imagined the attention pets would get simply by
marching across the New York landmark. "If we could get people to pay
attention nationally, we could reach a lot of those pets."

Of course, other marches have drawn attention to causes, notably the
1963 March on Washington, though not all in a good way. A 1929 march
down Fifth Avenue was a breakthrough for encouraging women to smoke.

Mr. Hassan said his ideal outcome for this event would be to help a
family who were forced to give up their pet readopt it when they
weathered the storm. In the middle, the pet could stay in a no-kill
shelter or with a "foster owner." But to do that, the pet shelters need
additional funds. Shelters are being overwhelmed by the surge in pets at
the same time their sources of money are drying up. "They are hit doubly
hard," Mr. Hassan said.

As for money, so far $1,000 has already been donated to three shelters
-- in New York, Los Angeles and Florida -- through the Pup Crawl Web site.

He originally envisioned 30 to 50 dogs taking part in the march. Now he
said there were at least 150 dogs registered -- and counting.
Pet-related sponsors have hopped on the animal crusade, including the
Iams pet food company, The Bark magazine, and Lulu Leash, which sells
leashes with LEDs.

He currently has 80 boxes of pet food in his apartment that arrived by
delivery truck last week. His roommate was taken by surprise, he said:
"The look on her face was just priceless. She looked a little bit
shell-shocked."

The walk will take place Saturday, with pets and owners gathering at
City Hall Park around 5:30 p.m. The walk, which officially begins at 7
p.m., will be a round trip across the bridge and back.

City Room asked Mr. Hassan what kind of dog he owned that he would be
taking to the walk. He admitted he did not have one. His landlord
prohibits pets.

"We really want a dog," he said. "I am really hopeful that after this,
that he will understand how important it is to us and he will change his
tune." Meanwhile, he will be walking with a chocolate Labrador puppy
that his roommate's sister just adopted from a shelter. The dog, who is
from Albany, is secretly staying over Friday night, he said.

"He hasn't been named yet," he said. "So if anyone has any suggestions,
we're open."

Yonker's School Bans Diabetic Boy's Service Dog

2009-09-19T16:00:00.003-04:00

The following post is from Fox News:

Officials at a New York school have refused to allow a diabetic student to bring his service dog to school.

A school district official stopped 8-year-old Anthony Spataro, his mother, and his dog, Dash, from entering a Yonkers school on Tuesday.

Samantha Spataro said her son was told that he was welcome at Paideia School 15 without his dog.

The Westchester school's spokeswoman said the dog is too young to have been properly trained as a service dog to detect glucose levels.

The district also barred Anthony from coming to class when he had a different service dog, a 2-year-old German shepherd, to monitor fluctuations in his blood sugar levels.

School officials told FOX 5 New York in August that Anthony had an aide assigned to him and had been doing well in school without a dog.

The state's Division of Human Rights issued a determination earlier this year that the family has grounds to sue the district over the issue.

The family says they will go to court.

Bacterial Infection Risk for Dogs

2009-07-13T10:39:00.004-04:00

We received this email alert from www.bpcdogs.org, courtesy of Jeff & Paula Galloway, over the long weekend. Although Leptospirosis has not been a problem as far as we know in our local dog runs or in Historic Battery Park, the tips at the end of this email are good practice for keeping your pet safe in any event. Please let us know if anyone hears of infectious outbreaks among dogs in the CB#1, lower Manhattan neighborhoods.

Subject: ALERT: Bacteria at Brooklyn dog runs linked to pet deaths
From: Robert Marino
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 02:42:48 -0700 (PDT)
To: info@nycdog.org

ALERT TO ALL DOG PARK AND OFF-LEASH AREA USERS: Lepto can be picked up from puddles, dogs walking in puddles and then licking themselves, etc. Where there is food/garbage there are usually rats and rats transmit lepto.

Bacteria at Brooklyn dog runs linked to pet deaths
By Heather Haddon

Parker died by playing in the places he loved.

The 6-year-old rat terrier dog is believed to have caught Leptospirosis, a fast-moving illness transmitted through water infected by rat or mice urine. Doctors suspect that the dog contracted the disease from one of North Brooklyn's dog runs, which have been awash in mud and stagnant puddles during June's heavy rains.

Within days, Parker went from scampering in his Williamsburg home, to suffering from kidney failure so severe that he had to be euthanized last Sunday. No details were available about the other dog.

"It's horrible," said Aaron Goodman, 29, Parker's owner. "You don't hear the pitter-patter of his toenails on the floor. There is no dog cuddling next to me on the couch."

At least two healthy dogs from the area died from Leptospirosis in the last two weeks, which has alarmed those frequenting the three dog runs in Greenpoint and Williamsburg.

"It's really scary," said Rebecca Wendfeldt, 38, as her three pooches played in the McCarren Park dog run Wednesday. "To think about my dog potentially dying, it makes me cry."

City Health Department officials are investigating the two deaths, a spokeswoman said. The city reported 17 infections among dogs in 2007, with two cases linked to Prospect Park, according to the most recent city data. Last year, officials notified Brooklyn veterinarians to watch for the disease.

"It's a public health concern," said Dr. Orlando Diaz, a Williamsburg vet who cared for the two deceased canines. "Both were young dogs and the infection was so acute."

In rare cases, humans can contract Leptospirosis through open wounds or by swimming in infected waters. The disease typically causes flu-like systems in humans. In dogs, it prompts vomiting, diarrhea and jaundice, and grows fatal without immediate treatment.

"He wasn't eating. His skin turned yellow," Goodman said about Parker. "They just couldn't do anything for him." Dog runs in Greenpoint and Williamsburg lack fresh water and suffer from poor drainage, which owners believe could have contributed to the outbreak. "It's a big problem," said Katharine Spector, 28, a golden retriever owner. "We have to be wary."

Shayndi Raice contributed to this story.

How to protect your pooch at the dog run:
■ Have your dog vaccinated for leptospirosis. The shots don't ward off all infections, but provide some protection.
■ Bring fresh water and a bowl for your pet to drink from.
■ See a vet immediately if your dog starts to vomit.

In dog parks:
■ Empty dog bowls and refill with fresh water.
■ Avoid puddles, especially near curbs, etc. Standing water is worst.

Slydog brand retractable leashes

2009-07-07T10:03:00.005-04:00

Retractable leashes pose problems for people and their pets

Heather Todd didn’t bring a leash with her the day she took her pooch Penny to a pond near Boston in 2005. So she borrowed a retractable dog leash to help keep her Labrador retriever in check. But it didn’t. The 90-pound dog suddenly took off running and dragged Todd across the sand.

When she came to a stop and recovered her wits, she spotted something lying on the sand. With horror, she realized it was a human index finger; with greater horror, she realized it was her own. The cord of the retractable leash had looped around her finger and pulled taut when Penny bolted.

“It just cut it off like a sharp knife,” Todd says. [Continued]

Many now have a warning NOT to use around small children. Wonder why? Retractable/flexi leads are a danger to those who use them, their dogs and anyone nearby:

1) They encourage the dog to get, and stay away from the handler; contrary to sound training priciples.

2) They can easily be pulled from the handler's control. Then the dog is loose with the case clapping the ground behind them (scaring them more). A standard lead has a loop to go around your wrist.

3) They can lead to injuries ranging from cable burns and shoulder problems, to entanglement (leading to falls), canine leg amputations, and loss of an eye (cable broke at dog's collar, boomeranged back to owner's face).

For everyone's safety, we do NOT allow them at dog events. I grit my teeth every time I see one being used, anticipating any of the above - most of which, I have witnessed.

Convenience should never be a substitute for responsible dog ownership and good training practices.

Original posted by: Tina Valant | Apr 14, 2009 11:19:06 AM

Animal Rescue Benefit Event

2009-05-28T15:55:00.003-04:00

-----Original Message-----

Dear (BPC) Members,

Two of our members, who are affiliated with Friends of Animal Rescue, a non-profit organization that provides much needed funding to help NYC rescuers remove animals from death row at city shelters, have extended an invitation to a fund-raising event that will be held in our back yard on June 4. From 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm, the fund-raising party will be held dockside at the North Cove Marina near Gateway Plaza. Then, at 9:00 pm, the party moves onboard the mega yacht Atantis for a one-hour harbor cruise. Go to http://www.friendsofanimalrescue.com for more details and for information about purchasing tickets.

Thanks,
Jeff & Paula Galloway
www.bpcdogs.org
bpcdogs@rundog.com

First Dog Bo

2009-04-12T16:26:00.000-04:00

Bo, a six-month old, Texas-born Portuguese water dog and a gift from Senator and Mrs. Kennedy to Sasha and Malia, is the newest member of their Obama family. Watson, the six year old father of Bo, is owned by Craig Rader and was used as a stud by breeder Julie Parker, who owns a kennel near Erie. According to 'The Philadelphia Inquirer':

Earlier this year, U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy chose another product of the same Watson-Penny union for his new puppy, Cappy. Two of Kennedy's other Portuguese water dogs have the same father and grandmother as Watson, the now-deceased Benhil's Rogue Wave (known as Rudder) and Misty Meadow Miriah of Benhil, both of the Erie area.

Because Parker and the Raders were under the impression that all of the "Watson children" from that litter had already been sold, the news that Bo was joining the first family caught them by surprise.

If Bo is anything like Watson, the Obamas should have an ideal family pet, said Craig Rader, though White House staffers should keep a close eye in the event that Bo inherited some of Watson's mischievous genetic material.

East River Esplanade Site Plan for Dog Run

2009-02-07T11:07:00.004-05:00

South Street Seaport Ice Rink Opens

2009-01-17T11:17:00.005-05:00

Location: Pier 17 • South Street and Fulton Street in lower Manhattan
Directions: J, M, Z, 2, 3, 4, 5 to Fulton Street -or- A, C to Broadway-Nassau
Hours: Open Daily • 10am – 10pm; through March
Pricing: General Admission: $5.00; Skate Rental: $7.00; Cash only

EDC Meeting to Present Waterfront Park Design

2008-12-15T10:23:00.003-05:00

We regret the last minute timing of this notice of the upcoming meeting of the Waterfront Committee of CB#1:

Monday, 12/15/2008, 6 PM, 51 Chambers Street, room#709. Only Item on the Agenda: EDC to present East River Waterfront Park Phase I design/Wall Street to Maiden Lane/Including neigborhood dog run and a proposed pavilion.

This meeting just came to our attention; however, it should be of importance to all of the neighborhood dog owners who want to have an input into the EDC planning for the sanctioned recreational facilities proposed for the community dogs and their owners. It appears that the first, and only, item on the agenda is a discussion of the planning for the East River Waterfront Park, which is to include a dog run; therefore, individuals who want to have some input into the planning process should arrive early.

Taking into account the short notice and inconvenient hour, all neighboring dog owners, or their representatives, should attempt to attend this meeting to review what the EDC has planned for the neighborhood dogs and their owners.

Coalition Of Dog Owners/Lovers

NYPost: FiDi Neighborhood Profile

2008-12-07T15:16:00.006-05:00

Wall Street: It's not just for bankers anymore. After years of hype, the Financial District -- call it FiDi, if you'd like -- is finally living up to its promise as a residential neighborhood.

Conversions that began in the late 1990s now offer a variety of options, including ultra-luxe residences like Downtown by Philippe Starck (15 Broad St.), the Setai (40 Broad St.) and the Cipriani Club Residences (55 Wall St). New construction dots the area, too, drawing well-heeled newcomers to buildings like the W New York Downtown (123 Washington St.) and the William Beaver House (15 William St.), where sales prices have topped $3,500 per square foot.

The transformation of the nabe has also drawn high-end retailers, such as Hermes (15 Broad St.) and Tiffany & Co. (37 Wall St.).

Even with all this luxury, FiDi offers a lot of bang for the buck. Relative bargains can be had in many new buildings, where prices are often $1,000 a square foot or less. Rentals, too, trade at lower rates than the rest of Manhattan, and typically offer more space and better amenities than other downtown neighborhoods like SoHo and TriBeCa. And while some of the daily amenities might be lacking -- as of early 2008, Gristedes was the area's lone grocery store -- residents are well positioned to score bargains at discount department store Century 21.

Winter Attraction Still on Ice

2008-12-07T13:00:00.004-05:00

What ever happened to the South Street Seaport ice rink as promised by flyers and news reports of its opening after Thanksgiving?

On www.thenewseaport.com, this is the only information available about the rink:

Welcome to Seaport Ice, downtown Manhattan’s newest winter attraction. Amid the visual splendor of tall ships, skyscrapers, and New York Harbor, this 8,000 sq. ft. ice skating rink offers a unique skating the whole family can enjoy. Seaport Ice’s convenient location and variety of activities promise to provide a winter full of fun.

The Seaport Ice Rink opens to the public in early December 2008.

Update: BPC West Thames Street dog run

2008-11-02T13:00:00.000-05:00

Old designs of the West Thames Street dog run are only "placeholders"--a mistake by the Department of Transportation's presentation to the Community Board 1’s Battery Park City Committee.

"The redesigned West Thames dog run will open at the end of 2009 or beginning of 2010, said Adam Levine, spokesperson for D.O.T. It will take about two months to construct, and the D.O.T. will work with the community on finding a temporary run for the dogs during construction. The dog run is part of the state’s larger Route 9A reconstruction, which includes park space alongside the road. The dog run or surrounding parkland could be a future landing place for a bridge over the West Side Highway in southern Battery Park City, once the Rector St. bridge comes down in several years."

"Jeff Galloway, co-chairperson of the BPC committee, said the West Thames dog run is the most heavily used in Battery Park City, partly because many Financial District residents bring their dogs there as well. On a recent frosty night, Galloway noticed that Battery Park City’s many parks were all but empty — but the dog run was full and bustling."

Full article from Downtown Express

Dressed for the elements

2008-10-28T13:01:00.005-04:00

For many people, Halloween is the only time of year to have fun dressing up, including their pooch. At the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade this year, that's what dog owners had, a lot of time and creativity. The most memorable one is the iPup pictured here from last year. Check out this year's Best in Show.

While some people think putting dogs in clothes is cruel or silly, dog shoes actually protect a dog's feet from rock salt during the winter. Rock salt goes up between their paws on heavily salted sidewalks, and it can actually burn their skin. Also, putting sweaters or rain gear on dogs is recommended for protection from gale and rain.

Happy Howl-O-Ween

Sad news...Agni passed away Oct 25

2008-10-27T22:00:00.000-04:00

We are saddened to receive the following letter from Sung-Hee with regards to Agni:

Hello, friends!

I am writing to you to let you know that on October 25 about 1AM local time, Agni has passed away. He was suddenly hit by a car, and he died within 10 minutes in my arms.

Agni's time in Scotland was a happy one. Running around on grass and chasing bunny rabbits was his new pastime, and he was happy being outside even if the weather wasn't great!

I do apologize to all of you for not having been in touch sooner, but
our adjustment here in Scotland has been a difficult one.

I want to thank all of you for your love for Agni. He loved all of you and your doggies as well.

Love,
Sung-Hee

Our thoughts are with you.

Seaport ice rink expected to open after Thanksgiving

2008-10-25T14:00:00.001-04:00

Lower Manhattan’s only ice rink will open the day after Thanksgiving at Pier 17 in South St. Seaport.

The 8,000-square-foot rink with room for up to 325 skaters will be open to the public seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Nov. 28 through Feb. 28. The entrance fee will be $5, with rental skates available for another $7.

General Growth Properties, the owner of the Seaport, announced the plans to Community Board 1’s Youth and Education Committee Tuesday night.

Full article by Julie Shapiro from DowntownExpress.com

Queens couple busted by the ASPCA

2008-10-24T17:58:00.003-04:00

One Queens couple was busted by the ASPCA yesterday when it was discovered they were housing 33 poodles. The NY Post reports on the world's cutest infestation (with a photo gallery!), saying animal rescuers were called to the elderly owner's home and noted that the dog's conditions were "deteriorating quickly." One rescuer told the paper: "I can't even describe what it was like in there. This was 33 dogs in one home, they weren't going outside and they weren't being
walked." The couple isn't facing criminal charges, and one poodle going back to the owners as a pet. The rest of the dogs are now "being groomed and given care at the center before being put up for adoption." --Gothamist

LPC yet to vote on Pier 17 redevelopment

2008-10-22T14:00:00.001-04:00

The Landmarks Preservation Commission will be the first government agency to formally review General Growth’s project, with the first hearing set for Oct. 21. General Growth needs approval for three actions in the South St. Seaport Historic District: to demolish the Pier 17 mall, to build low-rise retail and a boutique hotel on the pier and to move the Tin Building from the base of the pier to the water’s edge.

Municipal Art Society's Lisa Kersavage (left) and Melissa Baldock (right) demonstrate the difference a proposed tower would make to the South Street Seaport skyline. They and other civic advocates say redevelopment will compromise the character of the skyline.

Simeon Bankoff, executive director of the Historic Districts Council, called the redevelopment plan a “disaster.” “It's a unique place that is unparalleled in this city,” Bankoff said. “To create this glass wall...destroys the scale, the ambiance, the spirit of the Seaport.”

Full article by Christine Lin from epochtimes.com

GGP ready to build school with Pier 17 redevelopment

2008-10-09T14:00:00.001-04:00

General Growth Properties made its first firm promise last week to build a school in the Seaport, as long as the city is on board.

If the School Construction Authority determines that Lower Manhattan needs more school seats, “I’ll do it,” said Michael McNaughton, a vice president with G.G.P. “I’ll do it.”

The school would be one piece of the community amenities package General Growth is offering in exchange for its South St. Seaport project. G.G.P. hopes to demolish the Pier 17 mall, build a 495-foot condo and hotel tower just north of Pier 17, build lower-rise retail and a boutique hotel on the pier and move the historic Tin Building to the pier’s tip.

Full article by Julie Shapiro from DowntownExpress.com

Pet policies, rules, and applicable laws for dog owners in cooperatives and condominiums

2008-10-05T13:00:00.001-04:00

Many New York City cooperative and condominium owners consider their pets to be members of their families. At the other end of the spectrum are people who may have violent allergic reactions when they come into contact with dogs, or who just prefer not to share their common living space with someone else's four-legged friend. The boards of directors of cooperatives, and the boards of managers of condominiums, weigh these competing interests and try to enact and enforce pet policies and rules that best serve the residents of their buildings while also taking into account applicable laws. Read the full article from Stephen M. Lasser from njlawblog.com

Making it easier for NYC dog owners to renew licenses

2008-08-12T13:00:00.001-04:00

Dog licenses cost $11.50. Renewals are $8.50 for spayed and neutered dogs and $11.50 for dogs that have not been fixed. Mayor Bloomberg said the city relies on self-enforcement by pet owners.

"I think it's just not practical to have our Police Department or Parks people run around and try to give out tickets," Bloomberg said at a recent news conference to announce the online license service.

"This is one of those things that we just have to depend on the good will and the common sense of the public and hopefully they'll get the message," he added. "You can enforce the pooper-scooper law but going into parks and assigning to check dogs for licenses just isn't something we're likely to do."

See full article at NYDailyNews.com

Tompkins Square Park dog run facelift

2008-08-09T14:00:00.001-04:00

If the skyrocketing price of gas put a damper on you and your pooch's summer travel plans, one fun option to consider is a "staycation." After all, with miles of sandy beaches, nature trails and upwards of 50 dog parks around the city to choose from, there are plenty of canine adventures to be had right here in our urban backyard.

A chance to check out the newly renovated Tompkins Square Park dog run, the city's first pooch park, is a good reason to head with Fido to the East Village.

After a nine-month face-lift, the 18,500-square-foot oasis reopened two weeks ago to much fanfare - and tail wagging. It's every urban dog's dream, boasting three bone-shaped doggy pools, a water fountain and a deck surface made from a paw- and eco-friendly decomposed granite called brownstone screening, designed to facilitate draining.

"I never thought it would come out so great," said the dog park's volunteer manager, Garrett Rosso. The $325,000 renovation, a collaborative effort between the city's Parks Department and the local Friends of First Run, which contributed $50,000 to the renovation, was more than four years in the making.

Full article by Amy Sacks from nydailynews.com

Don't be sad...I am going to see you again

2008-08-06T13:00:00.002-04:00

At right, Bernann McKinney with a descendant (sort of) of her beloved pit bull, Booger. She paid $50,000 (with a publicity discount) for five clones.

The only two laboratories known to have successfully cloned dogs, both based in South Korea, are producing a steady string of genetic copies. But as hopes are rising over the country's latest high-tech product, so is an international dispute over who controls the lucrative right to bring back a deceased pet beagle or duplicate a Dalmatian.

The high-stakes battle pits South Korea's best-known cloning experts against each other: One is Hwang Woo Suk, a disgraced scientist now being tried on allegations of fraud for having faked research saying he had created human embryonic stem cells through cloning. The other is his estranged protégé, Lee Byeong Chun, who also has been indicted on fraud charges.

In 2005, Hwang and Lee created the world's first cloned dog, Snuppy. But since then they have split into rival laboratories, each vying to become the world's top animal cloning center. The competition is spurring technological advances, bringing down the cost of cloning dogs and raising the prospects for a new South Korean export industry.

So far the two laboratories have produced a total of more than 50 cloned dogs, and more are in the works. While most of these were produced in the line of research, an increasing number are being cloned commercially, including a pit bull named Booger.

Full article by Choe Sang-Hun at iht.com

GGP plans for Seaport on display

2008-08-02T14:00:00.001-04:00

Seaport residents and visitors who want to see how General Growth Properties’ plans for Pier 17 compare to the pier’s history have to look no further than “Seaport Past & Future,” a new exhibit on Front St.

The exhibit traces the Seaport’s history from 1850 to the present and also includes the first public look at architectural models of General Growth’s plans.

General Growth is sponsoring the exhibit, which opened this week and features models by SHoP Architects of General Growth’s proposed 495-foot hotel and condo tower next to Pier 17 and a smaller boutique hotel, lower-rise retail and a large open plaza on the pier.

Full article by Julie Shapiro from DowntownExpress.com

CB1 demands a new school before approving Pier 17 redevelopment

2008-07-10T15:00:00.001-04:00

Manhattan’s Community Board 1 is demanding that the redevelopment of the South Street Seaport include a new school and parks in exchange for their support for the proposal. General Growth Properties is redeveloping the area and in order to gain approval will need support from the Community Board as part of the City’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). CB 1 members also expressed concerns with the size and density of the proposed hotel/apartment building planned for the pier. See full article here.

Have you watched Greatest American Dog?

2008-07-09T14:00:00.000-04:00

Even if you haven't watched, you're sure not to miss it on the streets of Manhattan, if CBS hasn't tried to brand the show everywhere and on anything.

CBS literally "puts on the dog" to promote Greatest American Dog, a reality series that bows tomorrow night. The campaign is a mix of traditional and non-traditional marketing, with some elements created in collaboration with the network's media agency, Initiative. The campaign spans out-of-home, online, in-store, print, radio, cable and cinema advertising. George Schweitzer, president of CBS marketing, pointed to several of what he deemed to be "unique promotions," such as an alignment with Dogster.com, "the Facebook for dogs," in which the network takes over the homepage of the site and introduces a "fan club."

Full article by Shahnaz Mahmud from AdWeek.com

Two pit bulls mauled Staten Island man

2008-07-02T13:00:00.000-04:00

Two pit bulls mauled a 90-year-old Staten Island man yesterday, leaving him with at least one amputated leg, authorities said.

Henry Piotrowski was walking in front of his house at 94 John St. in Port Richmond at 11 a.m. when the vicious canines set upon him from a neighbor's yard, police said.

Cops said a 10-year-old boy had left the gate open, letting the dogs out.

Full article by Matt Richardson and Jamie Schram at NYPost.com

South Street Seaport Redevelopment Presentation

2008-06-25T14:03:00.005-04:00

If you are interested in learning about the plans for the redevelopment of the South Street Seaport, please attend the next meeting of the SB Parent and Youth meeting on Monday, June 30th. Representatives of the developers, General Growth Properties, will be there to do a presentation. This will be the first item on the agenda, starting at 6:30 p.m. It is critical that the developers hear from the community on this project that will have a significant impact on our neighborhood:

Monday, June 30, 2008, at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Southbridge Towers Management Office Board Room
Agenda: General Growth Properties (South St Seaport) Presentation

South (of the Bklyn) Bridge Parent and Youth Association, Inc.
90 Beekman Street
New York, NY 10038

Puppy Portraits

2008-06-24T09:43:00.010-04:00

This weekend, Kenzo was lucky enough to be the subject of fashion (and now canine) photographer Joanna Totolici.

Dog portraits have been around for centuries and span cultures. In the Chinese Imperial court, pekes were immortalized in watercolor. In 18th and 19th century England, oil paintings were commissioned of hounds. A few years ago, a sketch of a spaniel by Sir Edwin Henry Landseer fetched $11,950!

If you've never attended a photoshoot, it's hard to appreciate the difficulty of getting the perfect shot. The right pose, lighting, and composition. It can take hours. And that is when you're working with professional models. Now, try telling a 1-year old puppy to hold still while flashes are going off and a bunch of strangers are coaxing him with toys and treats. Joanna was amazing. Kenzo, for his part, was not a natural. He kept wanting scamper off the backdrop to cuddle with his momager. Eventually, he got the hang of it and even, dare I say, started to like it. I like to think of the picture above as his interpretation of Blue Steel.

Fortunately, I do not yet have the Linda Evangelista of dogs, but I have noticed lately that he won't get out of bed for less than 10,000 belly scratches.

Joanna's work (http://www.totolici.com/) has been featured in magazines including Nylon, Lucky, Surface, and New York Magazine. Kenzo, a peke-tzu, has been photographed for the MoMA and the Kodak Gallery.

A redeveloped Pier 17 favored by Bloomberg admin

2008-06-18T15:35:00.003-04:00

General Growth Properties, Inc., assumed control of the Seaport following a merger with The Rouse Company in 2004, has posted massive plans and grand vision of a new Pier 17 on a comprehensive website www.thenewseaport.com

"General Growth and its architect, SHoP Architects, have said that the 42-story apartment/hotel tower has been designed to lessen its visual impact and that by stacking floor area vertically, open spaces would be created along the pier." Current zoning allows only buildings up to 350 feet in height, and this tower will be 495 feet.

District 1 Councilman Alan J. Gerson said "Essentially, it's a hotel complex that other people will be able to walk around...It's a net loss of public space. It's inconsistent with our efforts to open up the waterfront," and contends that open space was different than truly public space, and that the plaza on Pier 17 would have a luxury hotel on one side and a restaurant and event space on the other."

*Thanks to Richard and Lisa for sending this article and this article along.

Update: EDC plans for the East River Waterfront Park dog run

2008-06-12T12:37:00.008-04:00

On Tuesday, June 10, 2008, Richard, Shannon, and Jack, members of the Coalition Of Dog Owners/Lovers For A Dog Run, met with Geeta Uhl and Nicole Dooskin, of the NYC Economic Development Corp, to address some important issues that arose after reviewing the plans for the permanent dog run, at the offices of Ken Smith Landscape Architects, on May 14, 2008. Nicole Dooskin, as Senior Project Manager for Development at the EDC, set the agenda for the meeting, with the following initial conclusions:

1. It was established that the Coalition Of Dog Owners/Lovers For A Dog Run is not a legal or formal entity; rather it is a like-minded group of dog owners/lovers residing in the neighborhood of the Financial District and Seaport/Civic Center where the EDC will be constructing the proposed East River Waterfront Park.

2. The Park will have 24-hour security, and their personnel will lock the dog run, after a still to-be-determined time at night.

3. While the maintenance of the Park will remain the responsibility of the EDC, they will not participate in any sanitation or general clean-up maintenance of the dog run. The conditions in the dog run will be the sole responsibility of the dog owners utilizing the facility. It is possible that the EDC might provide fresh surfacing materials on a yearly basis if needed.

4. The height of the dog run enclosure will be reduced from the original 10' to 4' or 5'.

5. The EDC inspection found there to be no evidence of roosting or nesting birds under the FDR Drive in the proposed vicinity of the dog run; however, they may provide anti-bird nesting barriers if needed.

6. The EDC cannot clean up the scaling paint and other falling debris from the underside of the FDR Drive; this the responsibility of the US Highway Department, which is obligated to clean and paint this area every 15 years, (We believe they have another 10 years left for their scheduled maintenance).

7. The parking permissions for the tour busses on South Street, parallel to the FDR Drive, adjacent to the proposed dog run location, will be eliminated as needed.

Phase one of the Waterfront Park, which includes the dog run, is expected to begin in August/September this year, possibly taking most of 2009 until completion. The meeting was adjourned with the understanding that as the planning for the dog run proceeds the Coalition Of Dog Owners/Lovers For A Dog Run will be consulted as needed.

Any questions or comments about the planning for the dog run will be appreciated; click on the comment link directly below this blog entry.

East River Waterfront Update

2008-06-06T18:00:00.002-04:00

According to NYC Department of City Planning, several major milestones have been reached:

-funding for implementation has been secured from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation;
-Final Environmental Impact Statement was adopted by the LMDC;
-schematic design has been completed;
-design development is nearly complete;
-ULURP approvals were granted for the disposition and site selection of the pavilion component, the RFP/RFEI process for the pavilion component, and overall design.
-the Project is under review by the Art Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Army Corps of Engineers for various federal, state, and local approvals

"The proposed East River Waterfront Project brings innovation to the integration of the city and the post-industrial urban edge creating unique waterfront amenities and recreation space. Unlike the picturesque tradition which is prevalent in parks around the city, the East River Waterfront seeks to embody its long history as a working waterfront and embrace contemporary modern infrastructure, such as the FDR Drive (constructed following the decline of the area’s maritime industry.) For years, one of the most magnificent waterfronts has lacked amenities and been disconnected from the city. Now the City is preparing to begin construction on a two-block portion of the Esplanade from Wall Street to Maiden Lane in Community Board 1. This portion will showcase the Esplanade design including the seating, planting, paving, railing, and lighting that are proposed for the entire Esplanade. In these two blocks, there will also be unique amenities including a dog run. Construction is slated to begin in early Fall of 2008. Plans are also being developed for subsequent phases of the esplanade, Pier 15, and Pier 35."

For more info, go to http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/erw/index.shtml

Back in 1989

2008-06-05T11:17:00.001-04:00

Published in NYTimes June 15, 1989, this letter describes a very different world for dogs. Post your comments or stories at the bottom of this article.

To the Editor:

Thomas B. Morgan is right on target about ''the absurd rules'' for New York parks (Op-Ed, May 30). As dog owners who are members of the New York City Coalition for Dogs, we have felt hounded by Parks Commissioner Henry Stern's green-shirted park rangers, who tear Rambo-
like in green vans through Central Park in pursuit of our leashless pets. We believe the pooper-scooper law is reasonable. But what sense does it make to rule that our dogs can be exercised off leash only between 6 A.M. and 8 A.M.? Those of us who work at night are still asleep.

The new rules that went into effect on June 1 are even more draconian. Now we hapless dog owners can be fined $1,000 should our best friends happen to ''urinate on the grass.'' They will be ''seized and impounded'' should they dare to saunter off-leash at our side. Their owners will be taken away in handcuffs if they dare to protest. And they have been. It seems that the more powerless officials are to control crime in the parks, the more they try to make dogs the goats. Chasing down family pets is safer (and more lucrative) sport than going after drug dealers and rapists.

Our city is becoming increasingly divided against itself. ''Children before dogs!'' is a rabid anti-dog group's slogan. But our children have always grown up together with dogs - with Lassie, Toto, Sandy and Rin Tin Tin. Dogs are famous for saving children's lives. Children are safer if their dogs can go with them to play in the parks.

We ask that family dogs have special hours to play and exercise off-
leash, as they have in other cities. We suggest 6 A.M. to 10 A.M. and 4 P.M. to closing time. We reject the large fines and continual harassment from green-shirted Rambos. Either this administration modifies the absurd new dog rules or we dog owners will unleash our real power. We can vote, even if our dogs can't.

BETTY JEAN LIFTON JANE O'REILLY
New York, May 31, 1989

Increase in Fines and Sanitation Agents on Dog Law

2008-06-05T10:52:00.000-04:00

Well, we've posted on this site and observed on other dog-related sites, PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG! Still, we find (or step in) dog waste in our neighborhood. Could it be that there are tourists with dogs that don't know about NYC dog law? or dogs with very DENSE owners. What do you think? Submit your comments at the bottom of this article.

"The city's 311 complaint line received about 3,000 complaints about dog waste last year, up from 2,100 in 2004, and so the Sanitation Department has added seven agents to the task force. In the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, which ends on June 30, they handed out 869 summonses, an increase of roughly 40 percent over the same period a year before.

"The maximum fine, $100, which has not changed since the law was passed, is likely to go up soon: A bill increasing it to $250 is awaiting Gov. David A. Paterson's signature. A spokesman for the governor said on Wednesday that Mr. Paterson was reviewing the measure."

(The parks department, which issues the tickets in city parks, has discretion to fine $50 to $1,000.)"

"The most summonses have been issued in the Bronx, with 335 in the first 11 months of this fiscal year, compared with 215 in Brooklyn, 157 in Queens, 109 in Manhattan and 53 in Staten Island."

"The more people you put out there, the more summonses you get," said Sanitation Commissioner John J. Doherty, who wrote his first ticket as a sanitation enforcement agent in 1973 to a couple who didn't curb their dog. Curbing dogs, or making them go in the gutter as opposed to the sidewalk, was the law at the time. (It is still on the books, but rarely enforced.) "We put more people on it. But still it's not always easy to catch someone."

"To issue a summons, the agent must witness the dog doing its business and the owner walking away. With about a half-million dogs spread across the city's 305 square miles and an offense that can take less than 30 seconds, the odds are against the agents. Most agents find only one or two so-called K-9 violations in progress each day. (The task force also issues $200 fines for dogs that are off-leash, and for throwing household trash in city garbage cans.)" --NYTimes.com

Dog Theme Park in China (2006)

2008-05-29T15:35:00.001-04:00

Beijing is a city of at least 12 million people and at least a million dogs. The policy of one dog per family, considered misguided by many dog owners, was introduced in 2003 but have been only loosely enforced as the city's pet industry has boomed.

Chinese dog lovers eat at the Coolbaby dog restaurant in Beijing May 20, 2006. The newly opened dog theme park, the first in China's capital, has a playground, a swimming pool, obstacle courses, and a restaurant specially designed for pets. Not only can pets have meals together with their owners, but the recipes offered are based on nutritional science and tailored for dogs of different breeds, ages and sizes. [Reuters]

What do you think? Post your comments by clicking directly below.

Do You Have PetLifeLine?

2008-05-29T11:38:00.001-04:00

I found this while searching for references on Pet GPS on Google:

http://www.petlifeline.com/

PET Lifeline identifies you as a pet owner and ensures your pets are
not forgotten or stranded during your emergency.

The PET Lifeline is the only national product of its kind that has the
ability to protect pets in every city, and home in North America.

The PET Lifeline call center is monitored 24 hours a day 7 days a week
with access through- out North America as well as notification access
worldwide via the PET Lifeline web site.

Each card has a unique registered serial number that links all of your
identification to our secure and confidential PET Lifeline database
which contains all the contact information of the people you have
entrusted to care for your pets.

Have you heard about this? do you know anyone who got it for their cat/
dog?

Proceed with Caution: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza

2008-05-27T21:56:00.000-04:00

Please be advised that, for the past few months a number of dog owners who allow their dogs to play, roam, or just walk through the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza, (the public park from Pearl to South Streets, between 55 Water Street and 2 New York Plaza), have been accosted by a Caucasian male of military bearing, wearing conservative business attire, approximately 6’ tall, of stocky build, about 35 years of age, with light balding hair and a moustache. He is hostile to the presence of dogs in this park, and if challenged about their rights to be in this public space, his response may define simple assault; he may also attempt to incite violence. He has maintained that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza is private property, and has ordered dog owners to “leave my premises”. When questioned about his authority or asked to identify himself he refuses to comply; without his cooperation, he has been described as a head of security for 55 Water Street, which is owned by The New Water Street Corporation, (Retirement Systems Of Alabama), and recently came under the management of Brookfield Properties through their acquisition of Trizec Realty.

The present owners and operators of 55 Water Street inherited the obligations for the maintenance of the public park, currently known as Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza, under the original agreement that permitted the developer of 55 Water Street to demolish four existing city blocks and exceed the zoning limits to construct what was, at the time, the largest office building in the world. Research indicates that the area encompassing the park in question was New York City property at that time and would become Jeannette Park, (which incorporated the very moving glass block Vietnam Memorial inscribed with the letters of fallen New York soldiers). Contrary to the allegations of the security official, it does not appear that title to this park, now known as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza, subsequently passed to 55 Water Street or any other private entity. Upon being confronted by this individual, it only serves to provoke him if one calls his attention to the two metal plaques at both entrances to the park: one giving a brief history of the park, the other stating the New York City Parks Department rules and regulations, with the number 1-800-PARKS.

It should be noted by all neighborhood dog owners that the current Parks Department rules do not prohibit dogs from the park; however, if dog owners have been abusing the privilege of using this park in an unsafe, unsanitary, disrespectful, or annoying manner, the recent hostility of this security official may indicate that this public space may soon be posted as off limits to dogs, as has recently occurred at the Elevated Acre Park, the creation of which was part of the same original agreement with the developers of 55 Water Street, and which formerly permitted dogs on the premises. For many years these parks were friendly spots for dogs and their owners to enjoy the outdoors; however, that has changed with the recent change in management. It is hard to comprehend that Brookfield Properties would permit such a hostile and provocative security official to confront their residential neighbors solely on his own volition. This individual’s “Blackwater” demeanor may not only represent his personal prejudices but may also express his frustration trying to comply with his employers demands: Proceed With Caution.

The Financial and Civic Center Districts of Community Board #1, of Manhattan, are rapidly becoming a mixed use neighborhood, with many new residents moving here with their pets; however, the facilities for these pets has not kept pace. There has always been very limited space for residents to exercise their dogs east of West Street, which may not have been an issue when there were few area residents. The sidewalks downtown are narrow, crowded with office workers, mounded with garbage bags, vendors and bicycles; the narrow East River walkway is currently full of construction barricades and will soon be demolished; Battery Park is entirely off limits to any neighborhood activities, residents are confined to the narrow foot paths that are inundated with tourist groups, the ubiquitous illegal vendors, and bicyclists. All neighborhood dog owners should make a concerted effort to make sure that the only historically open space where dogs could walk unimpeded doesn’t become the de facto property of 55 Water Street by virtue of their banning of dogs, and other neighborhood activities, throughout the entire park. This park is New York City property and, with due respect for the Vietnam Memorial, it should be for the benefit of the growing residential community as well as serving as a fair weather lunchroom and the smoking area of the office workers in our neighborhood.

"Pooper-trator" ticketing at an all-time high

2008-05-06T13:50:00.001-04:00

The Dept. of Sanitation reports that 775 tickets for not following the
Canine Waste Law (est. 1978) have been handed out since last July, a
number that has more than doubled since the previous year. It's
expected that number will rise even higher as the temperature does the
same, WNBC reports that Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty says "He
expects more tickets with the warm weather prompting dog owners to
take longer walks with their pets and there's more daylight hours to
spot offenders."

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/public/161-03-notice.pdf

Researchers found birds don’t habituate to the presence of dogs.

2008-04-11T20:03:00.001-04:00

Birders and dog walkers both covet precious parkland like Manhattan's Central Park and Brooklyn's Prospect Park, which the Audubon Society lists as important green "islands" for migrating birds. While no endangered birds pass through the parks, conservationists are concerned about birds that fly through and nest there, including the wood thrush, the seaside sparrow and several types of warblers.

So will the new findings galvanize bird watchers to call for dog-walking restrictions in New York City? Probably not in Central Park, according to Nicole Delacrétaz of New York City Audubon, considering the high volume of people who circulate there and the constant chaos of concerts and other noise. She suggested that birds were much more likely to benefit from restrictions in peaceful tracts where dogs can currently run off-leash, like Prospect Park. (scienceline.org)

Large, Black Dogs Go Unwanted

2008-04-09T17:50:00.000-04:00

It's not just that large dogs can be frightening: Animal shelters say black dogs of all sizes are difficult to photograph for online listings, and are hard to spot against the shadows of their crates and cages in dimly lighted kennels.

Older black dogs with a little white in their muzzles can look elderly. Bigger breeds like German shepherds or Chows aren't as fashionable as small, cuddly lap dogs.

Then there's the reputation. The idea of a big, black dog unleashing destruction is a common theme in books, movies and folklore as diverse as "The Hound of the Baskervilles," the "Harry Potter" series and "The Omen."

(Read Full Article, by Emily Zeugner, The Associated Press)

Woman Bites Dog Who Attacked Her Dog

2008-04-07T18:05:00.000-04:00

Amy Rice feared for her dog's life when a pit bull jumped over a fence into her yard and attacked her pooch. So she took matters into her own mouth. Rice says she bit the pit bull on the nose Friday after trying to pull the dog's jaws off her Labrador retriever, Ella. The dog had jumped a fence to get into Rice's northeast Minneapolis yard, and Rice says she feared the pit bull would kill Ella. "I didn't plan it, that's what happened. I broke the skin and had pit bull blood in my mouth," said Rice, 38. "I knew what happened, and I knew that it wasn't good." The pit bull was quarantined Wednesday by Minneapolis Animal Control officers while rabies tests are being completed. Rice's doctor will determine whether she needs shots for rabies. "I was sure that my dog was dying in my arms; it was horrible," Rice said. Ella is recovering with staples and stitches to her head and a crushed ear canal, but she is afraid to go for walks, Rice said.

(Associated Press)

Winfrey Dedicates Show to Her Late Dog

2008-04-01T17:59:00.000-04:00

Oprah Winfrey plans to dedicate a show investigating abuses at puppy mills to her cocker spaniel, Sophie, who died last month from kidney failure. "Sophie gave me 13 years of unconditional love. She was a true love in my life," Winfrey says on the broadcast scheduled to air Friday. (Advance remarks from the show were released Tuesday by Harpo Productions.) The show features special correspondent Lisa Ling investigating puppy mills, which Ling calls "horrific" and "haunting." infrey says the show is "for anybody anywhere who loves a dog, has ever loved a dog, or just cares about their basic right to humane treatment." While Sophie was not a product of a puppy mill, and Winfrey's three current dogs were adopted from breeders, Winfrey says in the future she would look to adopt from an animal shelter. "I would never, ever adopt another pet now without going to a shelter to do it. I am a changed woman after seeing this show," she says.

(Associated Press)

Animal Fair Ranks NYC Most Pet-Friendly

2008-04-01T15:45:00.000-04:00

Sponsored by Cesar, the annual Five Dog Bone Awards recognizes the following recipients selected based upon their excellence in pet-friendly travel and product services, as well as their recognition of the importance of people with pets:

Airline: Continental Airlines
Automobile: Volvo
Destination: New York City
Hotel: The Driskill Hotel
Product: Sherpa Bags
Resort: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Shelter: Humane Society of Louisiana

Read more about it on animalfair.com or in the City Room

Dog Prays at Japanese Zen Temple

2008-03-24T18:11:00.000-04:00

At a Zen Buddhist temple in southern Japan, even the dog prays. Mimicking his master, priest Joei Yoshikuni, a 1 1/2-year-old black-and-white Chihuahua named Conan joins in the daily prayers at Naha's Shuri Kannondo temple, sitting up on his hind legs and putting his front paws together before the altar. It took him only a few days to learn the motions, and now he is the talk of the town. "Word has spread, and we are getting a lot more tourists," Yoshikuni said Monday. Yoshikuni said Conan generally goes through his prayer routine at the temple in the capital of Japan's southern Okinawa prefecture (state) without prompting before his morning and evening meals. "I think he saw me doing it all the time and got the idea to do it, too," oshikuni said. The priest is now trying to teach him how to meditate. Well, sort of. "Basically, I am just trying to get him to sit still while I meditate," he explained. "It's not like we can make him cross his legs."

(Associated Press)

Updated: NYC Parks Pet Owners Guide, Rules, and Regulations

2008-03-22T16:02:00.000-04:00

Catching up on some reading? Stop by NYCGovParks.org to read the latest information for pet owners.

Support Animal Rescue's Food Donations Marketing

2008-01-30T10:00:00.000-05:00

"Hi, all you animal lovers. This is pretty simple... Please tell ten friends to tell ten today! The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on it daily to meet their quota of getting free food donated every day to abused and neglected animals. It takes less than a minute (How about 20 seconds) to go to their site and click on the purple box 'fund food for animals' for free. This doesn't cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising."

theanimalrescuesite.com

--Richard (Kit)

Park Officials Post Warning in Chelsea Run

2007-08-21T21:00:00.001-04:00

Park officials posted a sign at the Chelsea Waterside Park dog run on Thursday after several dogs were reportedly ill from possibly ingesting an unknown drug or substance. The sign states:

WARNING: There have been recent reports of dog illness/injury from an illegal toxic substance that may have been found in the dog run. The Trust is working with the NYC Police Department to investigate and address the situation. We have also implemented more aggressive cleaning and monitoring of the area. All dog run users should use caution while in the dog run.

Read more about this news at NYTimes.com

If you visit this particular dog run and see anything suspicious please report directly to the NYPD and share your comments on this site.

Downtown Express article followup

2007-08-09T22:00:00.001-04:00

We would like to call your attention to the, 8/3/07, Downtown Express article about our efforts to get a temporary dog run in our neighborhood. As of today this edition is still on the streets, it has also been posted on ERDOGS.blogspot.com. We think it is important at this time that the neighborhood dog owners/lovers who are interested in having a neighborhood dog run take a moment to read this article, as well as the 8/3/07-CB#1 Resolution, the 7/8/07-update on our progress and site photos, and the 7/6/07-EDC letter and site sketches, which are also posted on ERDOGS. We also urge you to take some time to personally examine the physical site that the EDC and CB#1 feel is the only possible location for the temporary dog run. Many of the neighborhood dog owners we have spoken with have reservations about the EDC's choice of this location:

1. It is one of the few pedestrian corridors from Front Street to the East River, sandwiched between a car parking lot and a commuter bus parking lot; it often has tourist buses parked along Front Street, and the "trinket" vendors congregate here because of the pedestrian traffic. The dogs and their owners will have to breath the exhaust fumes from the parking lots and contend with the trash that the pedestrians and vendors will certainly discard in the dog run.

2. The EDC is unwilling or unable to allocate the funds to hook up to a source of water pressure for the one year term that they will permit the dog run to occupy this location. The rebuilding of pier 15, adjacent to Maiden Lane is scheduled to be the first project in the construction of the East River Waterfront Park, therefore their position about the expense to provide an adequate source of water is understandable; however, without pressurized water it will require constant scrubbing with mops and brooms to keep the surface, consisting of paving bricks and iron DEP plates, clean and sanitary. Presently this site, as well as the entire area of the proposed East River Waterfront Park is maintained and cleaned by a private company hired by the EDC. In turn for providing us with a 4 foot fence and a large water bucket the EDC is relinquishing the maintenance of the Maiden Lane portion of the East River Park to the neighborhood dog owners.

Mr. William Kelley, the EDC Manager of the East River Park project, has been attentive to and understanding of the needs of the neighborhood dog owners, he has accompanied members of the Coalition to look over potential sites for the temporary dog run and discussed the water issue with us; however the Asset Management Dept. of the EDC has dictated Maiden Lane as the only possible location for the dog run and will not provide funds to hook-up to pressurized water or consider sites with a potential source of pressurized water due to the short duration of this facility.

At this point it is important to know how many of the neighborhood dog owners plan to use this temporary dog run on a regular basis, of these people how many will volunteer for a regular clean-up shift that will involve mopping and sweeping the area twice daily, and which individuals will be willing to take an active part in the management of the temporary and permanent dog runs by becoming officers and directors of a neighborhood dog owners association. Clearly if the location is unappealing to the majority of the neighborhood dog owners, (after all a dog run is a social place for dogs and their owners, not just a bathroom), then the burden of maintaining and managing the facility will fall on fewer people than necessary, which will inevitably lead to a decline in cleanliness and sanitation, which will make it less appealing to those who use and upkeep the facility, which may lead CB#1 and the EDC to revoke the privilege of having this temporary dog run. From the inception of pursuing a neighborhood dog run in the East River Waterfront Park the EDC has advised us that there are many competing commercial and community users for a very limited amount of available space. At this time they have been supportive of allocating space in the park for a community dog run; if we default in our maintenance responsibilities with the temporary facility we are very likely to lose the chance to have a permanent dog run incorporated in the finished park.

It should be apparent to all interested dog owners how important it is that you examine the materials on ERDOGS, visit the physical site, and respond to this message with your comments on these matters. In the event that not enough dog owners express an interest in utilizing this temporary location and a willingness to take an active role in the maintenance and management of the facility, we feel that it will be disrespectful of the efforts of the EDC and CB#! to accommodate our desire for a temporary dog run and may jeopardize the permanent dog run, therefore we propose to advise Mr. Kelley that the EDC's temporary site is inadequate and we would rather forgo the temporary dog run at this time unless they can provide pressurized water and/or a cleaning crew twice daily.

We hope to hear from you, pro or con, before the end of August, at which time we feel we owe it to the EDC and CB#1 to express the Coalition's intentions before they proceed with the construction to the facility.

Downtown Express

2007-08-05T16:00:00.000-04:00

CB1 Resolution for a Dog Run

2007-08-03T14:00:00.001-04:00

Please read the following resolution from Community Board 1:

COMMUNITY BOARD #1 – MANHATTAN

RESOLUTION

DATE: JULY 31, 2007

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: SEAPORT/CIVIC CENTER

COMMITTEE VOTE: 6 In Favor 0 Opposed 0 Abstained 0 Recused
BOARD VOTE: 37 In Favor 0 Opposed 0 Abstained 0 Recused

RE: Request for a Temporary Dog Run in Seaport/Financial District by Coalition of Dog Owners/Lovers for a Dog Run

WHEREAS: The Coalition for a Dog Run has requested that the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) incorporate a dog run into the design of the East River Waterfront Park to serve the Seaport/Financial District residents, and

WHEREAS: The park is in the planning stages and there is a necessity for a short-term solution until the park is built, and

WHEREAS: NYCEDC is proposing the location of a temporary Dog Run approximately 45’ x 90’ beneath the FDR Drive at Maiden Lane, and

WHEREAS: NYCEDC will fund site preparation, provide a source of water and arrange for insurance, and

WHEREAS: The Coalition for a Dog Run will clean and maintain the Dog Run and provide all parties with a list of rule and regulations standard to other dog runs, and

WHEREAS: All involved parties will jointly inspect the Dog Run after 1-2 months in operating to make sure it is functioning to everyone’s satisfaction, now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED

THAT: CB 1 supports the proposal of NYCEDC to locate a temporary Dog Run beneath the FDR Drive at Maiden Lane until such time as it can provide a permanent Dog Run as part of east River Waterfront Park.

Update: Coalition for a Dog Run

2007-07-08T11:00:00.000-04:00

Update: The EDC has been working with us to obtain a location for a temporary dog run that will not interfere with their construction/demolition schedule for the planned East River Waterfront Park (Esplanade); At this time, dog owners should make their opinions about the EDC decisions known to CB#1. There may be issues about the EDC plans that are questionable or controversial, and it is important for those residents east of West Street in CB#1 who want a viable dog run in their neighborhood to voice their opinions at this meeting. See previous post below for sketches of temporary site.

The Coalition of Dog Owners/Lovers For A Dog Run will be updating the Seaport/Civic Center Committee of Community Board #1, on Monday, July 16th, as to our progress toward obtaining a temporary location for a dog run in the area of the proposed East River Waterfront Park. With due consideration for the extensive demolition and construction that will occur in the rather narrow corridor between the Governor’s Island Ferry Terminal and the South Street Seaport, for approximately 2 years, there are important unresolved issues with the location.

We have requested that Mr. William Kelley, the EDC Manager for this project, address the Committee at this time, and have asked that he invite members of other NYC agencies who might be able to contribute to the discussion, to clarify these matters.

This is the last CB#1, Seaport/Civic Center Committee, meeting until the fall and we believe a good turnout of individuals interested in having a dog run in our neighborhood is important at this time. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for Monday, July 16, 2007, at 6 PM, located at 49-51 Chambers Street, room #709.

--Richard (Kit)

2007-07-06T18:05:00.002-04:00

Click on thumbnails to view larger images:

Please read the following email from William H. Kelley, of the NYC Economic Development Corporation:

July 3, 2007

Michael/Richard-

I have received confirmation from our Asset Management division to install a temporary dog run underneath the FDR Drive at Maiden Lane. This is approximately 300 feet north of the location where a permanent dog run is being planned as part of the East River Esplanade project.

Attached (above) are VERY rough sketches of the location and configuration of the temporary dog run, and are not meant to represent actual designs

Working with Richard Horowitz, Community Board 1 and Councilmember Gerson's Office, we understand the following:

1. EDC will construct a temporary dog run approximately 45'x90' beneath the FDR Drive at Maiden Lane. The fence will be standard 4' chain link with a double gate as shown on the attached documents. We can continue to work out design details through subsequent meetings.
2. EDC will provide a source of water via a "water buffalo," which will be refilled as necessary to provide water to clean the area.
3. Richard Horowitz' group will clean and maintain the dog run, and provide all involved parties with a list of rules and regulations standard to other dog runs
4. All involved parties will jointly inspect the dog run after 1-2 months in operation to make sure it is functioning to everyone's satisfaction.
5. The dog run will be in operation until the area is scheduled for construction of the East River Esplanade. There is no scheduled start date for construction, but it will be at least one year away.

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Thanks,

William H. Kelley
New York City Economic Development Corporation
110 William Street
New York, NY 10038
(212) 312-4231
wkelley@nycedc.com

Did You Know?

2007-07-03T16:39:00.000-04:00

Update: For some time dog owners have been taking their pets to enjoy the "Elevated Acre" park at 55 Water Street; recently a few people were told to leave the premises with their dogs; one dog owner has requested a clarification of the usage regulations for this public area (request expired, no more info to follow).

(Related link: The Municipal Art Society of New York)

About the 55 Water Street Park

Redesigned by Rogers Marvel Architects and Ken Smith Landscape Architecture, this one acre elevated plaza at 55 Water Street in Manhattan is to be reopened today. Elevated plazas are always something of a challenge, and the previous life of this space was less than stellar despite its riverfront location with generous open sky. Indeed the original plaza with its unwelcoming street access was only built to gain a density bonus when the double-tower complex was originally built in 1972.

The Municipal Art Society and the property landlord (New Water Street Corp.) held a design competition in 2002 to revitalize the space. The design by Rogers Marvel and Ken Smith starts by marking the site with a 50-foot-high LED illuminated translucent glass beacon at the northeast corner of the site, which also serves as an additional park entrance via elevator. The primary entrance is a multilevel assent of escalators, stairs and overlooks rising from street level. Above the park unfurls as a broad events lawn of artificial grass surrounded by a stepped amphitheater, and a gently sloping landscaped "Dune," inspired by regional topography, which rises up to a "Boardwalk" terrace overlooking New York Harbor.

Update: Pet Food Recall

2007-04-30T15:00:00.000-04:00

The New York Times reports:

The Food and Drug Administration has already banned imports of wheat gluten from China after it received more than 14,000 reports of pets believed to have been sickened by packaged food. And last week, the agency opened a criminal investigation in the case and searched the offices of at least one pet food supplier.

The Department of Agriculture has also stepped in. On Thursday, the agency ordered more than 6,000 hogs to be quarantined or slaughtered after some of the pet food ingredients laced with melamine were accidentally sent to hog farms in eight states, including California.

The pet food case is also putting China’s agricultural exports under greater scrutiny because the country has had a terrible food safety record.

In recent years, for instance, China’s food safety scandals have involved everything from fake baby milk formulas and soy sauce made from human hair to instances where cuttlefish were soaked in calligraphy ink to improve their color and eels were fed contraceptive pills to make them grow long and slim. [more]

Check out melamine image/chemical graphic on Moose's site.

"Year of the Dog"

2007-04-13T10:15:00.000-04:00

Hello dog lovers!

Do you find that your love for your dear poochie has grown so much, it has spilled over into a general love for all dog-kind? I've only had my Woody for about five months, and I find myself paying more and more attention to animal rights issues, animal stewardship, and general awareness about our pawsitively awesome animal friends.

Well, along that vein, I wanted to let you know about a movie that comes out today, entitled Year of the Dog. Starring Molly Shannon of Saturday Night Live fame ("Sometimes I like to stick my fingers under my arms and then smell em... like that!"), today's New York Times describes it as:

"...funny ha-ha but firmly in touch with its downer side, which means it’s also funny in a kind of existential way."

To read more about the movie, get show-times and venues, click on the link below:

http://www.nytimes.com/indexes/2007/04/13/urbaneye/index.html?8ur&emc=ur

Since I'm a recent transplant to New York (from Chicago), I haven't been to the Angelika theater yet, but I hear it is a great venue. I'm definitely going to check it out.

Apropos, a few months ago, this movie could have had a very timely release in the actual Year of the Dog, but as of February 18, it is now the year of the Pig!

Sniffs, snuffs and woofs! -- Woody's mum

Pet Food Recall, Revisited

2007-04-06T02:00:00.000-04:00

UPDATE 4/12/2007: "Menu Foods admitted on Wednesday that a "clerical error" caused the company to overlook that it shipped potentially contaminated wheat gluten for pet food from one of its U.S. plants to one in Canada." See also: Clues to pet food recall traced to Chinese city, What is the FDA doing about the pet food situation?, and CBS News reports Menu Foods CFO Sold Shares Before Pet Food Recall

4/5/2007: Okay, can you imagine Fido scarfing down remnants of euthanize animals? go to the TIME article here...is it possible that melamine was added to wheat gluten to increase the protein level in pet food? go to the USA Today report, and here, Andrew Bridges of Associated Press writes:

"The recall of pet foods and treats contaminated with an industrial chemical expanded Thursday to include dog biscuits made by an Alabama company and sold by Wal-Mart under the Ol’Roy brand.

The Food and Drug Administration said the manufacturer, Sunshine Mills, is recalling dog biscuits made with imported Chinese wheat gluten. Testing has revealed the wheat gluten, a protein source, was contaminated with melamine, used to make plastics and other industrial products.

Also Thursday, Menu Foods, a major manufacturer of brand-name and private-label wet pet foods, expanded its original recall to include a broader range of dates and varieties (in U.S. and in Canada).

Menu Foods was the first of at least six companies to recall the now more than 100 brands of pet foods and treats made with the contaminated ingredient. (see also washingtonpost.com)

The recall now covers “cuts and gravy”- style products made between Nov. 8 and March 6, Menu Foods said. Previously, it applied only to products made beginning Dec. 3. In addition, Menu Foods said it was expanding the recall to include more varieties, but no new brands."

So, based on the last few entries this site's tag line should now be Pet Food Recall Site.

Recall Alert: Dingo Treats Tainted with Salmonella

2007-04-01T01:00:00.000-04:00

Does your dog enjoy Dingo Jerky Treats? If so, he may also be enjoying a serving of this Salmonella bacteria (shown at right).

Eight In One, Inc., a division of United Pet Group, Inc., is recalling: Dingo CHICK’N JERKY 3.5 oz. and 8 oz. for dogs and Dingo Kitty CHICKEN JERKY 1.5 oz. for cats and Dingo Ferret CHICKEN JERKY 1.5 oz for ferrets--they can be potentially contaminated, which can cause serious infections in dogs and cats. Salmonella can potentially be transferred to people handling these pet treats, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Canada.com reports product recall for our neighbors in the north.

New York State Food Laboratory Discovered Rodenticide in Wet Pet Food

2007-03-24T11:00:00.000-04:00

New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets and Cornell University's Animal Health Diagnostic Center are focusing on the toxic substance called aminopterin, which is illegal for use in Cananda and U.S. to kill rodents. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had sent inspectors to Menu Foods plants in New Jersey and Kansas. Most complaints stem from products made at the latter factory, though both received shipments of wheat gluten (used to thicken the gravy in moist foods), identified as a likely source of contamination. The same supplier allegedly originates from China according to ABC News. They are screening pet food samples for substances known to be toxic to the kidneys, like toxins produced by molds. While Menu Foods has not acknowledged responsibility but has apologized to the dog and cat owners who are affected by the tainted food (a multi-million class-action suit was filed in Ontario on Thursday.)

So, what is a Canadian pet food supplier doing buying wheat from China? Global free trade. The same goes for human food: First, this news illustrates how vulnerable our food supply is. Second, there are no exacting standards being applied to foreign foods. You don't know what you're consuming and even when you think it is a local product, raw ingredients come from different sources.

Go to articles, slideshow, and video: Rat poison found in tainted pet food, Pet food maker to take financial responsibility for pet deaths from poisoning and Rat poison discovered in pet food.

See also Kidney Copes With Chronic Renal Failure and Kidney Disease: Treatment

AP photos: (top) Daniel Rogan, 12, holds a photo of his first kitten, nine-month-old Snowball, as he sits in his home with his father Rock Rogan, left, and mother Janet Rogan, right, Tuesday, March 20, 2007, in Mansfield, Mass. The kitten suffered kidney failure and was euthanized two weeks ago after eating tainted pet food according to the family. (bottom) Pebbles, the 7-year-old Yorkshire terrier, who became a symbol of the pet food scare, at Collett Veterinary Clinic in Los Angeles on Wednesday, March 21, 2007. Pebbles died the next day.

Full CB1 Meeting Confirms Request for Dog Run

2007-03-21T12:00:00.000-04:00

Good news!

The board of the entire CB1 voted positively to our request to incorporate a temporary and ultimately a permanent dog run in the area of the East River Waterfront Park. This is only a beginning, we must get site and other approvals from the EDC and Parks Dept, then this information must be resubmitted to CB1 for their final OK.

There will be much detailed work ahead and those of us who have been involved to this point would appreciate the assistance of more of the neighborhood dog owners/lovers who will benefit from this amenity.

--Richard (Kit)

CB1 Supports Resolution for Interim Dog Run

2007-03-18T12:00:00.000-04:00

We want to advise the Coalition for a Dog Run supporters that our needs have been heard at the Tuesday, March 13th, Seaport/Civic Center, CB1 meeting--the board passed the resolution to incorporate a dog run in the future East River Waterfront Park, and to provide a temporary location, to be determined, for a dog run in our neighborhood.

This is only the first step; there will be a meeting of the entire CB1, Seaport/Financial Districts, committee next Tuesday at which time the full board will vote on the dog run resolution.

We want to thank Amanda, Ayelet, Jack, Shannon, and Sun-Hee for their support by attending this past Tuesday meeting, and we need a good turnout of supporters for the dog run at the forthcoming full CB1 meeting.

We hope you will make the effort and show your sincerity by attending the next CB1 meeting, which will be held on Tuesday, March 20, at 6:00 p.m., at St. Johns University, 101 Murray Street...mark your calendar.

Here is a handout of what we presented to the Waterfront committee:

Pet Food Recall Alert

2007-03-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

Canadian pet food manufacturer and contract manufacturer for pet food giant Procter & Gamble, Menu Foods, issued a major recall of 80 brands of dog and cat food distributed to North America produced between December 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007. Click here to check your pet food bar code (UPC).

"At this juncture, we're not 100 percent sure what's happened," said Paul Henderson, the company's president and chief executive officer. However, the recalled products were made using wheat gluten purchased from a new supplier, since dropped for another source, spokeswoman Sarah Tuite said. Wheat gluten is a source of protein. An unknown number of cats and dogs suffered kidney failure and about 10 died after eating the affected pet food," presumably in "cuts and gravy" style cans and foil pouches (The Associated Press). FDA is investigating these brands:

For dogs: America's Choice; Preferred Pets; Authority; Award; Best Choice; Big Bet; Big Red; Bloom; Bruiser; Cadillac; Companion; Demoulas Market Basket; Fine Feline Cat; Shep Dog; Food Lion; Giant Companion; Great Choice; Hannaford; Hill Country Fare; Hy-Vee; Key Food; Laura Lynn; Loving Meals; Main Choice; Mixables; Nutriplan; Nutro Max; Nutro Natural Choice; Nutro; Ol'Roy; Paws; Pet Essentials; Pet Pride; President's Choice; Price Chopper; Priority; Publix; Roche Bros; Save-A-Lot; Schnucks; Springsfield Pride; Sprout; Stater Bros; Total Pet; My True Friend; Western Family; White Rose; Winn Dixie and Your Pet.

For cats: Americas Choice; Preferred Pets; Authority; Best Choice; Companion; Compliments; Demoulas Market Basket; Fine Feline Cat, Shep Dog; Food Lion; Foodtown; Giant Companion; Good n Meaty; Hannaford; Hill Country Fare; Hy-Vee; Key Food; Laura Lynn; Li'l Red; Loving Meals; Main Choice; Nutriplan; Nutro Max Gourmet Classics; Nutro Natural Choice; Paws; Presidents Choice; Price Chopper; Priority; Save-A-Lot; Schnucks; Sophistacat; Special Kitty; Springfield Pride; Sprout; Total Pet; My True Friend; Wegmans; Western Family; White Rose; and Winn Dixie.

--Dirk (Ursa)

Dog Blog in the News

2007-03-16T15:00:00.000-04:00

From the online Tribeca Tribune article by Andrea Appleton:

CB1 Committee Calls for Seaport Dog Run

It’s been a long time coming, but Seaport area dogs may soon have their day. Last month, Community Board 1 unanimously passed a resolution urging the city to create a temporary dog run in the eastern side of Lower Manhattan.

“There are many dogs in the neighborhood whose needs are not being served, nor are the members of the community,” Richard Horowitz of the East River Dog Owners Group, a new coalition of dog owners from the Seaport and the Financial District, told the board before the vote.

Board member Jeff Galloway, head of the Battery Park City Dog Association, chimed in with his support. “The dog runs in Battery Park City have become really nice community facilities,” he said. “People who are not even dog owners gather around them.”

Several members of the East River Dog Owners Group had appeared before the Seaport/Civic Center committee earlier in the month to plead their case. At that meeting, Horowitz pointed out that there is now only one dog run Downtown east of West Street, at Fish Bridge Park.

The group proposed that a temporary dog run be built in the Seaport until the East River Waterfront redevelopment is eventually completed. Horowitz said the group had received a positive response from the Parks Department and the Economic Development Corporation regarding the incorporation of a permanent dog run as part of the redevelopment.

Five members of the group came to that meeting, bringing with them a petition signed by 130 dog owners, and proposals for where the dog run might be located. “These are what we consider to be underutilized spaces,” said Horowitz, pointing to photos of six different sites in the Seaport. They included an area under the FDR drive near Wall Street, portions of Pier 13, Pier 11 and Pier 16, and even a floating barge. If EDC and the Parks Department agree to install a temporary dog run, the group must appear before the committee again with site plans.

To the question of who would keep the dog run clean and well maintained, Horowitz said it probably would be the dog owners.

Meanwhile, local dog owners are uniting. In January, they created their own dog blog (erdogs.blogspot.com), with updates on the dog run, as well as postings on everything from dog-friendly eateries to how to administer canine CPR. Portraits of local dogs, from Moose to Butch to Daisy (in a polka-dot sweater) welcome visitors.

Important Update: Coalition for a Dog Run

2007-03-08T15:00:00.000-05:00

Please read the attached response, from Michael Levine, of CB1, to our request to have the issue of a dog run in our neighborhood taken into consideration at the March 13, 2007 meeting. Clearly, it is imperative that all those who are serious about a neighborhood dog run contact one another about their intentions to attend this CB1 meeting and plan a presentation in advance of the meeting.

It would be best to make contact through ERDOGS (If you can attend, please send us an email or ENTER YOUR NAME IN THE "COMMENT" LINK at the end of this post); there may be individuals who visit the blog but for one reason or another do not have their email addresses on the Coalition mailing list.

Dear Dog Owners/Lovers for a Dog Run Coalition members,

Thank you for submitting you request for a dog run in the Seaport/Financial District area. I have placed your request on the agenda of the next Seaport/Civic Center Committee meeting for a presentation and resolution. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. (~~250 Broadway, Assembly Room, 19th floor~~) ORIGINAL LOCATION: CB1 offices at 49 Chambers Street, Room 709.

Please confirm your attendance and let me know who will be attending.

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

Michael E. Levine
Director of Planning and Land Use
Community Board #1
49 Chambers Street Room 715
New York, NY 10007

--Richard (Kit)

*Don't forget to arrive early--the Civic Center building entrance will require people to go through metal detectors and bag checks, and Room 709 is a big office with approx. 20 chairs around the room with the committee members at a center table.

Support from NYC Parks & Recreation

2007-02-28T00:00:00.003-05:00

Please read the following Letter, from Adrian Benepe, of the City of New York Department of Parks & Recreation:

February 27, 2007

Coalition of Dog Owners/Lovers for a Dog Run
c/o Mr. Richard Horowitz
66 Pearl Street, #306
New York, NY 10004

Dear Mr. Horowitz, Ms. Stone, Mr. & Mrs. Jasie, and Mr. Chen:

Thank you for your letter requesting a dog run in East River Waterfront Park. We fully support dog runs at the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and see their value to growing residential communities.

The New York City Economic Development Corporation owns the land under which East River Waterfront Park will be built, and they are managing the planning and design of the park. However, Parks is consulting with them on various issues. We therefore intend to encourage them to include a dog run (or perhaps several) along the length of the project.

We additionally encourage you to contact the Economic Development Corporation to further express your goal. The new president of EDC is Mr. Robert Lieber. EDC's project manager for the East River project is William Kelley. He can be reached at 110 William Street, New York, NY 10038 or at wkelley@nycedc.com

I appreciate your taking the time to share your concerns with me.

Sincerely,

Adrian Benepe
Commissioner

www.nyc.gov/parks

--Richard (Kit)

Tearing Up the Old Pier Mall

2007-02-23T12:39:00.000-05:00

South Street Seaport Mall and the adjoining pier 17 are slated to become the next small boom in residential and commercial real estate--its private leaseholder (General Growth Properties) has plans to demolish Pier 17 and make it an all-purpose use: retail and park spaces, historical maritime facility, and (unobstructed?) open space. (Read more here.)

--Dirk (Ursa)

A Poo Story

2007-02-22T17:00:00.000-05:00

Some neighborhood dog owners obviously don't care about the mess their pets leave for others to deal with. At the Vietnam Memorial, the grounds keeper initiated a conversation about the neglect of some dog owners; he said he was fed-up and would complain to the building owners. Many of the dog owners who take advantage of the hospitality of the building owners, those responsible for the maintenance of this memorial, don't think it can or will ever end. We all have been there before and know it can.

So, if you didn't already hear, the maximum fine for not curbing your dog may jump from $100 to $250. Read more here.

UPDATE: Cloe and Speedy, Shocked!

2007-02-16T19:45:00.000-05:00

Meanwhile, a German shepherd mix named Cloe and a mini dachshund named Speedy were possibly shocked yesterday when they touched scaffolding in the Financial District, witnesses said.

Dog walker Jamie Philips, 33, said he had to pry the dachshund off the scaffolding at John St. near William St. and revive him with CPR. Con Ed was investigating the possible stray voltage.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/local/story/497931p-419747c.html

--Dirk (Ursa)

(also see article from last winter here, and from 2005, and 2004...)

Another Dog Electrocuted (then Resuscitated)

2007-02-15T20:35:00.000-05:00

Remind your dog friends and walkers of safety on their walks--avoid any sewer/manhole covers. Also read Gothamist's CPR technique.

Here's a full article from NY1.com:

Second Dog Electrocuted In Lower Manhattan In As Many Days

The combination of the salted side walks, melting snow and electricity has proven to be a dangerous mix after two dogs were reportedly electrocuted in Lower Manhattan in the last two days. A dog died Wednesday night after stepping on a sewer cover, and another dog may also have been electrocuted while walking on the street this afternoon. Thursday's incident happened on John Street where witnesses say a dog walker was walking three dogs when at least one of them was shocked after leaning against a piece of scaffolding. The dog walker was able to revive the dog, a Dachshund, by giving it CPR. "Somebody that actually works in this building had a suggestion how to bring the dog back by holding its mouth shut and breathing through the nose and pumping on the heart or whatever, and it eventually brought the dog back," said the building doorman. "It was really very terrifying. I knew it was an animal. I didn't know what was going to happen. Of course, it could happen with a child; it could happen with an adult," said a witness. "The dog was very lucky that the dog walker was willing to resuscitate the dog." A Con Ed spokesperson says the stray voltage was apparently caused by lighting on the scaffolding, which is not related to the utility. The utility says it had the building shut off the lighting. Wednesday night, a professional dog walker, says her Boston Terrier "Boston Rob" was electrocuted on Rector Street after he stepped on a sewer cover. "I saw the lady crying, and when I looked over she had her dog in the box," said a witness. "She commented how the dog stepped on the manhole cover, started to cry, started bleeding, and then he just collapsed and dropped dead. She was devastated." Crews from both the Department of Environmental Protection, which is in charge of sewer covers, and Con Ed searched the area for stray voltage but did not find any. New voltage testing requirements were put into place after a woman was electrocuted while walking her dogs in January of 2004. (Copyright 2007 NY1.com)

Unfortunate Losses and Tragedy

2007-02-14T21:14:00.000-05:00

Last week we heard that a beloved dog named Otis passed away, and over the weekend, we lost another dog named Ziggy to cancer. Just today a fatal tragedy occurred for another family when a Boston Terrier named Bob was electrocuted on Rector Street between Greewhich and Washington Streets. Bob and his family recently moved to the neighborhood. This happened while a dog walker passed a snow-covered manhole on the block.

A statement released from the walking service stated that Bob started picking up his feet, and as the dog walker picked him up he yelped and went limp in her arms. Bob was rushed to the vet and examined to have died most likely of an electrical shock. Witnesses reported the dog was hopping right before she picked him up. Con Ed and NYPD were on the scene, and after they had cleared the snow they discovered a sewer cover below. Cause for this unfortunate tragedy is still unconfirmed.

PETA warns against leaving animals outside in freezing temperatures

2007-02-14T12:00:00.000-05:00

For Immediate Release:

Syracuse, N.Y. — Every year, PETA receives complaints about dogs who are left outside in the cold. Although they are equipped with fur coats, dogs and other animals can still suffer from frostbite, exposure, and dehydration when water sources freeze. Cold weather spells extra hardship for “backyard” dogs, who often go without adequate food, water, shelter, or medical care.

As your area is being blasted with cold weather, will you please consider sharing the following information with your audience to help protect animal companions?

·Keep animals inside, particularly puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, including pointers, beagles, pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Dobermans. Short-haired animals will also benefit from a warm sweater or coat on walks.

·Don’t allow your cat or dog to roam freely outdoors. During winter, cats sometimes climb under the hoods of cars to be near warm engines and are badly injured or killed when the car is started. (To help prevent this, bang loudly on the hood of your car before starting the engine.) Animals can also become disoriented when there is snow or ice on the ground. More animals are lost during the winter than during any other season.

·Increase animals’ food rations during winter because they are burning more calories to keep warm. Also, be sure that animals are free of internal parasites, which can rob them of vital nutrients.

·Keep an eye out for strays. Take unidentified animals inside until you can find their guardians or get them to an animal shelter. If strays are skittish or otherwise unapproachable, provide food and water and call your local humane society for assistance in trapping them and getting them indoors.

·Wipe off your dogs’ or cats’ legs, feet, and stomachs after they come in from the snow. Salt and other chemicals can make your animals sick if they ingest them while cleaning themselves.

·When you see dogs left outdoors, provide them with proper shelter. Doghouses should be made of wood (because metal is a poor insulator) and positioned in a sunny location during cold weather. Raise the house off the ground several inches and put a flap over the door to keep out cold drafts. Use straw for bedding—rugs and blankets can get wet and freeze.

--PETA